Decolonizing food is an act of resistance against the normalization of food imperialism by neo-colonial powers. Through both embodied and transmitted trauma Puerto Ricans have faced many feats in the conquest for self-determination; including the fight for food sovereignty. 

The U.S. deliberately industrialized the agriculture dependent economy to instate a monocrop culture that focused on the priorities of the American market, transforming Puerto Rico into an import based economy. The transition of the industrialization process and its effects can be seen below:

Correlation between more cash crops, like sugarcane, instead of food crops, such as yuca (cassava), equaled causation in diet changes–having detrimental consequences on Puerto Ricans. Additionally, imports account for at least 85% of the island’s food supply; however, due to the Jones Act, all international imports must first be shipped to the U.S. before reaching Puerto Rico, or they must be transported on American ships with American crews (Graulau, 2025). As a result, not only is the imported produce of lower quality, but there is also a two- to three-week delay between harvest and arrival at Puerto Rican supermarkets. For example, foods such as pigeon peas or malanga, when harvested in countries like Nicaragua or Ecuador, undergo a lengthy process—they are cleaned, treated with chemicals, refrigerated, and then shipped (Graulau, 2025).

Public Health Nutrition published a study that measured the association between the intentional purchasing of locally produced food and diet among Puerto Ricans and the general trend in their health. Participants were asked to report whether they rarely selected local imports intentionally, often did, or always did–using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index as the metric. It concluded that the average diet of those who rarely selected local foods–no matter the type of lifestyle they led–were 3.6 points lower than those who often selected local produce, and 9.3 points lower than those who always did. Even consuming the same dishes, those who used local products versus those who used imports were better off (2020). 

Low quality nutritious foods and the intentional omission of local crops from the diet by U.S. recommendations has led to severe health consequences for the Puerto Rican people. For example, Puerto Rico has higher rates of obesity and diabetes than the national average, not to mention poorer access to healthcare, less facilities, and the brain drain of qualified doctors (Graulau, 2025). So why is it that I bring up food sovereignty in the context of the Puerto Rican food industry and diet concerns emerging from U.S. food imperialist practices? For this I would like to revisit food sovereignty as a form of resistance. Resistance against food imperialism, import dependency, displacement, cultural erosion, and colonial rule. Resistance matters because it tells the world que seguimos aqui.¹ And that is exactly what self-sustaining communities like El Josco Bravo mean to Puerto Ricans: resistance. 

Located in the Toa Alta Municipality of Puerto Rico, La Escuela de Agroecología de El Josco Bravo is an initiative that develops an agroecology based curriculum for both experienced and rising agroecologists to fulfill the mission of Puerto Rican self-sufficiency in the context of its food autonomy that has been operating since 2004. Now, although they do not receive much support from government bodies, they do lease 67 acres and cultivate 3.4 of it (Graulau, 2025). A self-sustaining initiative, this project creates a reciprocal exchange with the same communities it aims to empower. Its various methods of operation include offering yearly and bi-yearly subscriptions for fresh, readily available produce, maintaining a bi-monthly booth at a market in San Juan, supplying local commercial kitchens, organizing ecotourism trips around the farm, and paid courses. Additionally, they collaborate with local restaurants to supply them with fresh produce. This communal effort of building networks with local restaurants strengthens relationships and diversifies the use of local produce, supporting Puerto Rican businesses. The classes further this mission by empowering, supporting, and educating future leaders, equipping them with the resilience needed to sustain and expand this model. The ecotourism segment allows both local students and tourists to gain a deeper understanding of the farming process and appreciate the resilience behind it, further feeding into the initiative (El Josco Bravo, 2025).

Anyone is welcome to take these courses—including the general public, community leaders, and individuals interested in developing specific vocational skills, whether for career advancement or personal fulfillment. (El Josco Bravo, 2025). To date, over 350 students have participated in these courses, with enrollment numbers steadily increasing. The instructors draw from a network of 60 local farms, enriching the learning experience with diverse expertise. Most importantly, El Josco Bravo exemplifies that when people control their own food systems and agricultural practices, they no longer have to rely on external authorities for guidance or resources. 

For many Puerto Ricans, there is a strong belief that “when disaster strikes, it is nature itself that holds the best lessons on resilience” (UNC School of Media and Journalism, 2018). While Puerto Rico faces ongoing threats of devastation, such as Hurricane María, the self-sustaining model of El Josco Bravo enables quicker recovery on their own terms. It is estimated that the island lost “$45 million in net produce due to Hurricane Irma and $200 million due to Hurricane María” (Ayala, 2025). Given Puerto Rico’s location within the hurricane belt, extreme weather events are both unpredictable and inevitable. However, the key lies in focusing on what can be controlled.

El Josco Bravo mitigates risks by cultivating a diverse range of crops, unlike monoculture farming, which relies on a single crop and depletes soil nutrients. This biodiversity results in healthier, more nutrient-rich soil, yielding better crop resilience. Additionally, their farming model is not reliant on imported goods; meaning they are not affected when shipments of a single product cannot dock. Furthermore, by avoiding the use of tractors and instead sowing by hand or with bulls, they remain independent from fuel supplies from the mainland, allowing them to resume operations immediately after a disaster rather than waiting for external support.

Although crises cannot be prevented, they can be managed more effectively through proactive measures and self-sufficiency. Creativity, innovation, and resilience serve as vital resources, ensuring that Puerto Ricans can face these challenges on their own terms.

1.  Que seguimos aquí (Spanish) – that we are still here (English translation) ↩︎

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