PUBLIC URGED TO BRING THEIR OWN BAGS TO UPCOMING AGRI-EASTER NIGHT MARKET TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

(MOA Basseterre, St. Kitts, 15 April 2025):

Members of the public are being encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to the highly anticipated Agri-Easter Night Market, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Resources St. Kitts, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives, and the Creative Economy. The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, at the Basseterre Public Market from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This call aligns with the recent announcement by the Department of Environment, which states that, effective April 1, 2025, the distribution of plastic T-shirt bags is officially prohibited across St. Kitts under the newly enacted Plastic Waste Reduction Act, 2025. This legislation marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce single-use plastics and promote environmental sustainability.

As part of the nation’s phased ban on single-use plastics, the Agri-Easter Night Market serves as a model for eco-conscious public events. Patrons are reminded to support this green initiative by bringing reusable shopping bags when attending.

In expressing the Ministry’s support for the initiative, Chaira Flanders, Head of the Media and Communications Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “We at the Ministry of Agriculture are proud to support the call for persons to bring their own bags to the Agri-Easter Night Market. Now it’s not only the sustainable route, but it also brings back that sense of nostalgia—taking us back to the days when , as little children, we would walk to the market with our own bags to buy fresh fruits and produce with our parents or our grandparents. It’s a small but meaningful step in reconnecting with our culture and preserving our environment.”

The night market aims to promote healthier food choices and boost local agri-businesses, offering a wide variety of fresh, locally grown, and organic produce. The Easter-themed event is also designed to provide a vibrant space for vendors, small businesses, and consumers to engage in the local economy while enjoying a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

The Ministry extends a warm invitation to all to attend, shop local, and help build a more sustainable future for St. Kitts and Nevis.

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