Managing resources effectively requires a delicate balance between addressing the needs of people with the needs of the environment. Historically, human development in many parts of the world has led to the rapid depletion of non-renewable resources. Even renewable resources, such as forests and fish stocks, have been harvested at rates that drive resource populations below what is commercially or ecologically viable. The cascading effects of resource use on ecosystems can also be dramatic, resulting in the collapse of entire communities – human and otherwise.

With ever increasing human populations, knowing what constitutes sustainable use for specific resources and environments will lead to more effective conservation and management. In addition, the development of alternative methods of resource utilization and production can help meet the needs of society. In the last few decades, novel methods of food production are emerging that capitalize on waste streams as a way to further benefit the environment and people.

As food security in The Bahamas is estimated to be between 3-6 weeks, the goal of CEI’s Sustainable Food Production Programs is to innovate ways to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of people so that Eleuthera and The Bahamas can be more self-sufficient with food production. Anecdotal evidence suggests that subsistence fishermen have to go further and further from home to provide food for their families and because there has been a shift away from agriculture to more tourism-related businesses, The Bahamas relies heavily on imported, processed goods to support the country’s nutritional needs. CEI is trying to address this problem by working on sustainable, self-sufficient food systems that provide local, healthy, and replenishable food products. These systems that can be employed at multiple scales in order to relieve pressure from the natural environment while allowing local, regional, and global communities to prosper.

In our dining hall we try to eat as much local food as possible.

Please click here to learn more about our involvement in the Eleuthera Farmers’ Market.