Mission Food Possible with Peter Ivey

What Is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity extends far beyond simply not having enough to eat. As Peter Ivey, founder of Mission Food Possible and CEO of The Reggae Chefs, explains, food insecurity is a complex issue affecting millions across the Caribbean, even those who might appear to have adequate access to meals. During his enlightening conversation on the podcast, Ivey revealed that approximately two-thirds of Jamaica’s population experiences some form of food insecurity despite the country’s abundant natural resources and agricultural heritage.

Peter speaks candidly about growing up in Spanish Town, the stigma and invisibility of food insecurity, and how Western influence has disconnected many Caribbean people from fresh, local ingredients. He explains how becoming “Americanized” in our eating habits can unknowingly place us on the path to food insecurity—and how reviving traditional cooking knowledge can be revolutionary.

Food insecurity manifests in various ways that aren’t always immediately visible. It includes children attending school without breakfast, families skipping meals due to financial constraints, and communities relying heavily on processed foods lacking essential nutrients. The long-term consequences extend beyond hunger, contributing significantly to the region’s high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and other diet-related health conditions.

Mission Food Possible

Mission Food Possible has 3 pillars: Empower, Educate and Sustain. Ivey’s work through Mission Food Possible takes a unique approach to addressing this crisis. Rather than simply providing food aid, the organization identifies what they call “MVPs” – Most Valuable Produce – in different parishes across Jamaica. They then train food leaders, particularly school canteen workers, to prepare creative, nutritious meals using these locally available ingredients. This approach has reached approximately 60,000 people, mostly children, across seven parishes in Jamaica over the past eight years, fundamentally changing how communities view and utilize their food resources.

The loss of traditional culinary knowledge represents one of the most concerning aspects of the Caribbean’s food security challenges. Ivey shares poignant examples of how younger generations are viewing traditional foods like yam and banana as “difficult” to prepare, opting instead for processed alternatives. Skills that were once passed down through generations – such as identifying when a breadfruit is ready for different cooking methods are disappearing. By reconnecting communities with these traditional practices, Mission Food Possible is not only addressing immediate nutritional needs but also preserving cultural heritage.

Same Crop – Different Name & Different Uses = Food Security Gap

Perhaps one of the most surprising revelations from Ivey’s work involves the disconnect between regions growing the same foods but utilizing them differently – or not at all. He describes finding okra in Nicaragua that locals couldn’t identify, and most shockingly, discovering that in West Africa, the birthplace of ackee, locals were not consuming this fruit despite its abundance. Similarly, dasheen (taro) is used differently across various cultures – the leaf used in callaloo in Trinidad, the stem curried in the Philippines, and the root consumed throughout the Caribbean and West Africa. By sharing this knowledge across regions, communities can expand their culinary repertoire and strengthen their food security through education.

The Activist & Agitator

Ivey’s journey into food activism wasn’t driven by a passion for cooking but rather by his entrepreneurial spirit and a profound realization. After launching The Reggae Chefs to share Jamaican culture through food, he attended culinary school and had a pivotal moment: learning that while more people were cooking professionally than ever before, global hunger was simultaneously increasing. This contradiction led him to question who exactly all these chefs were cooking for and ultimately redirected his skills toward addressing food insecurity in his homeland.

Food insecurity in the Jamaica isn’t just about hunger—it’s about history, culture, and agency.

Peter’s story exemplifies how entrepreneurship and social activism can merge to create impactful, community-driven solutions to complex problems.

Connect with Peter:

• Mission Food Possible: missionfoodpossible.com
• Follow Peter on Instagram: @peteriveyofficial
• Email: info@missionfoodpossible.com

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