Community Food Project

The Haitian Development Network, through its 501c3 non-profit partners, provides practical education and food for our community. Our programming goes beyond Jaden Lakou (backyard gardens) and outdoor classrooms. We also advocate for healthy local food systems and food justice for all.

Our work aims to remove structural barriers that hinder access to healthy food for everyone.

Collaboration is vital to ensuring that this access is possible. We work with primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, restaurants, food merchants, family and smallholder farmers, rural communities, and public institutions to improve the quality of food for everyone, their communities, and the planet.

Food justice to all

Haiti is a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. 

This means that every Haitian should have the ability to eat with dignity. Indeed, every human being should have equal access to safe, healthy, and culturally-appropriate food. 

We are informed about food justice. We want to embrace multicultural, interconnected feedback. We need to hear from those who live in the communities where we want to make a difference. We all work together towards a food-sovereign, sustainable, and inclusive future.

Since its inception, through its partnership with 501c3 non-profit organizations, the Haitian Development Network aim to eliminate food insecurity via the Jaden Lakou Program dedicated to tackling food insecurity in Haiti and its Diaspora.

We work within our community to ensure that everyone has access to fresh, healthy produce in a dignified way.

Combating food insecurity

Food insecurity is a significant barrier to healthy food. This is especially true for Haitians in the slums of Port-au-Prince and all major cities in Haiti, along with our youth, single parents, and those working low-paid jobs. Haiti!s food insecurity is at its worst and is the most important problem to tackle.

According to the World Food Program (WFP), 22 percent of Haitian children are chronically malnourished. Sustainable agriculture is critical to addressing food insecurity in Haiti, contributing to 20 percent of the country’s GDP and employing over two-fifths of the workforce. The sector continues to be beset by problems, including drought, low rainfall, and watershed degradation.

Food Insecurity is caused by insecure or inadequate access to food due to a lack of funds. We want a long-term solution to Haiti’s food insecurity.

Building a resilient food future in Haiti

Food justice is something we are constantly learning about.