Bodden Town native and recently crowned Miss Universe Cayman Islands 2025 Tahiti Moorea Seymour is using her platform to put a spotlight on an important issue for the Cayman Islands – food security.
The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure and the Department of Agriculture have joined forces with Seymour on a new partnership to promote sustainable food systems and inspire more young people, particularly women, to see agriculture as a vital part of Cayman’s future.
‘Beyond the Crown: Zero Hunger’
The collaboration forms part of Seymour’s advocacy campaign, Beyond the Crown: Zero Hunger, which looks beyond pageantry to confront one of the biggest challenges facing island nations – making wholesome, affordable food available to everyone, even during times of disruption.
“Promoting food security on islands isn’t just about growing more food; it’s about resilience, self-sufficiency and protecting livelihoods and culture,” said Seymour. “It is my mission to use my Miss Universe platform to bring visibility to a challenge that affects, not only us in the Cayman Islands, but millions of people across small island nations throughout the world.”
The campaign aligns with the Cayman Islands Food and Nutrition Security Policy 2022–2036, which focuses on boosting local agriculture, cutting reliance on imports, making healthy food accessible and affordable for all and creating a stronger, more resilient food system.
“We are proud to partner with Miss Universe Cayman Islands, Tahiti Seymour, to inspire more youth and women to see the opportunities in agriculture and to advance our food security goals,” said Minister Jay Ebanks in a statement.
Since launching the campaign, Seymour has focused on turning advocacy into action. She recently debuted an Instagram Live podcast, featuring conversations with island leaders on food security and sustainable agriculture.
One of her recent episodes was with Woody Foster, managing director of Foster’s supermarket and president of the Cayman Food Bank – a discussion which she referred to as “a powerful reminder that Cayman’s future is tied to the strength of our local food systems”.
In partnership with the government, Seymour will also host a panel discussion featuring ministry officials and produce educational content showcasing Cayman’s efforts to strengthen food security – and the people making it happen.
Seymour’s interest in food security is longstanding. The 22-year-old explored the topic in depth for her undergraduate thesis while earning a bachelor’s in politics and international relations at Queen Mary University of London. She was active in youth food security initiatives for years before that.
At just 18, she was appointed Caribbean Youth Leader for #Act4Food #Act4Change, the United Nations youth-led movement established ahead of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, which amplified youth voices in global food policy for the first time.
The road to Thailand
Alongside her food security advocacy, Seymour has been gearing up for the Miss Universe stage. Since September, she’s been training in Asia with a professional pageant coach while exploring food systems in the region.
From aquaponic farms in the Philippines to urban agriculture projects in Hong Kong, Seymour’s travels have become a hands-on study in food sustainability, experiences she said will help shape the ideas she brings back to Cayman.
While in the Philippines, she met with Regis Chapman, country director of the World Food Programme Philippines, who previously oversaw programmes across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands.
That exchange, she said, underscored how deeply connected island nations are – and how collaboration can be one of the most powerful tools in the fight against food insecurity.
The joint campaign between Miss Universe Cayman and the Ministry and Department of Agriculture will be showcased live on the international stage on 21 Nov. during the Miss Universe 2025 final show and coronation in Thailand.
Through the collaboration, the government hopes to amplify the Cayman’s voice in the global conversation on sustainable food systems and to inspire other nations to follow suit.
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