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Abstract

The linkage between tourism and agriculture in the US Virgin Islands is limited by production, marketing and institutional constraints. A study was conducted to identify and evaluate policy constraints and opportunities to improve this linkage. Focus group analyses of farmers, hospitality personnel, and policy decision-makers were conducted to develop a formal survey questionnaire. Each group was then surveyed in order to identify current and potential production/purchase constraints and opportunities for local food by restaurants in the islands. Seventy percent of restaurants' food purchases originate less than 10% of local food, 35% of restaurants make no purchases of local foods. However, 97% indicated willingness to purchase if available. In addition to availability constraints, quality, prices, consistency and other factors were determined to be constraints. Lack of producer knowledge of quality and product demand by farmers, and lack of knowledge of availability and outlets by chefs are key constraints. Development of educational exchange and information systems and a pilot project for production/market contracts for local foods are recommended and are being pursued.

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