Cultivating Innovation: SCFIA’s Mango Processing Venture Bears Fruit

Introduction

St. Croix Farmers In Action (SCFIA), a nonprofit founded in 1999, has been at the heart of agricultural transformation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. From their base at the historic Estate Bethlehem Sugar Factory grounds, SCFIA has long worked to strengthen the local agricultural sector through education, training, community engagement, and sustainable farming initiatives. With an active volunteer base and a deep commitment to the land, SCFIA has become a trusted steward of agricultural innovation.

In recent years, the organization set its sights on a bold new venture: establishing a fruit processing facility focused on mango pulp production — an exciting step toward value-added agriculture and long-term economic impact.

Challenge

Despite a compelling vision and years of groundwork, SCFIA faced significant challenges in bringing the fruit processing center to life. Raising capital for the facility proved difficult. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, SCFIA’s tax-exempt status limited their eligibility for local investment programs tied to tax incentives, such as those offered by the Economic Development Commission (EDC). While the organization had applied for grants over the years, success had been elusive — and after nearly a decade, the path forward remained unclear.

The team needed not only funding but also strategic direction on how to launch a business arm within their nonprofit model to make the venture viable.

Solution

That’s when SCFIA partnered with Shanta Roberts, Director of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Business Center, working in collaboration with the VI SBDC. Shanta brought both agricultural insight and grant expertise to the table, offering SCFIA the guidance they needed to move from idea to action.

Initially, SCFIA applied for a large-scale Community Change Grant (CCG) to support a major revitalization of Estate Bethlehem, with Shanta assisting closely through every phase of the application. Although the CCG wasn’t awarded, the process opened the door to new opportunities.

VI AgBC Director Roberts recognized the potential for SCFIA to qualify for a more targeted funding source — the RFSI Equipment Only Grant, offered by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI). She worked one-on-one with the SCFIA team to refine their proposal, proofread submissions, and align the application with the grant’s focus. Thanks to her support, SCFIA was awarded the RFSI grant — a major win that unlocked the next phase of their journey.

Results

With the $72,000 grant secured, SCFIA successfully purchased a high-capacity mango pulp processing line from China — a critical step toward launching their long-planned fruit processing facility at Estate Bethlehem.

But the momentum doesn’t stop there. With Shanta’s continued support, SCFIA is now actively developing a business plan and laying the groundwork to create a revenue-generating arm of the nonprofit. This structure will allow the organization to operate more sustainably, access new funding channels, and expand its services in agriculture and beyond.

After years of setbacks, the dream of processing locally grown mangoes into market-ready pulp is becoming a reality — and with it, a new model for agricultural innovation in the Virgin Islands is taking root.

Testimonial

“SCFIA sincerely appreciates Shanta Roberts’ advocacy for our long-term vision. We are grateful for her accountability in communications and for her willingness to make time for us to construct our ideas into a tangible idea.”

Conclusion

SCFIA’s mango pulp venture is more than a business initiative — it’s a testament to vision, resilience, and the power of partnership. With expert guidance from the VI AgBC and the VI SBDC, SCFIA has overcome structural barriers and secured the tools needed to thrive. As they move forward, their work will continue to generate agricultural, economic, and community impact across St. Croix and the broader U.S. Virgin Islands.