To support food security and improve market access for women farmers in Saint Lucia, Sandals Foundation has partnered with local non-profit organisation Helen’s Daughters (HD) for its bi-weekly pop-up “FarmHers Market”, where women farmers convene to promote and sell their locally grown produce and high-quality artisanal products to the community.

The pop-up event, which also takes place on a monthly basis with the group’s chapter in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, seeks to mobilize at least twenty-five (25) women ages 25-60 through empowerment and entrepreneurship by providing them with a platform to sell their products at each staging.

With a contribution of some US $40,000, the Sandals Foundation has enhanced the existing operations in Saint Lucia to include new furniture for a dedicated customer area and the establishment of a Tool Library and borrowing system.  Additionally, the Foundation’s support has expanded the operations in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, allowing for the execution of its own FarmHers Market at Calliqua Playing Field. The women empowerment group will also benefit from new branding and marketing collateral, as well as advertising campaigns to promote the launch of an “Agri-preneur” programme in both islands.

“This is more than a market. It’s a movement,” says Keithlin Caroo-Afrifa, Executive Director of Helen’s Daughters. “Through FarmHers Markets, we are rewriting the narrative around women in agriculture—celebrating their resilience, innovation, and deep-rooted knowledge of the land. With the support of partners like the Sandals Foundation, we are scaling our vision to reach more women, more communities, and create ripple effects of empowerment across the region.”

Since the first staging of the pop-up market in St. Vincent on July 19, 2025, there have been approximately 200 patrons benefitting from the availability of frozen madungo, seasonings, plants, local poultry, fruits, eggs, local jewelry, herbal oils, sweet corn, crafts and other goods. In St. Lucia, the bi-weekly FarmHers market has become a staple in the north of the island and currently services around 300 patrons per market.

For Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation, Patrice Gilpin, the partnership with the women-led organization forms part of its mandate to empower women across the Caribbean. “In the Caribbean, female farmers account for up to 30% of registered farmers, however, there is a significant disparity in their access to resources, technical support, and markets. The Sandals Foundation is honored to support a space for our female food and agro-producers to sell their wares. These Pop-up markets represent a new level of financial freedom and empowerment for every woman.”

Focused on the economic development of women in agriculture through improved market access, adaptive agricultural techniques, and capacity-building, Helen’s Daughters also offers programmes in agricultural education and training and scholarships to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Saint Lucia and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College for agricultural education annually.

Operated under its umbrella Women Helping Others Achieve (WHOA) Programme, the Sandals Foundation supports numerous female empowerment programmes across the Caribbean, providing mentorship, skills training and certification, continued education, business development, counselling and more. In Grenada, the Foundation has been a longstanding partner of the Grenada Network of Rural Women Producers (GRENROP), supporting their growth and expansion since 2016.