Labour shortages have crippled many farms across T&T but in one farm in the sleepy village of Moruga, dozens of volunteers from around the world are coming to work for free.
In return, they get to experience the Trini life which many of us take for granted.
The foreigners come from 120 countries across the world including the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Greece, Germany, Austria, and New Zealand. They get free food and lodging at One Family Farms, owned by Giselle Granger, at La Lune Village, near the southern coast. The salty sea breeze smell wafts across the farm where cabbages, mint, pumpkins, patchoi, breadfruit, lettuce, chive, tomatoes, peppers, melongene, and corn grow.
During an exclusive interview with Guardian Media on Friday, Granger said she opened her doors to the world in 2014 when she signed up as a host with the Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) programme.
On its website, WWOOF was listed as a "worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange". Granger said although some may think opening their home to strangers was risky, she has never regretted her decision to share her life with others.
"I never had a fear for nobody. When I was growing up my dad Noriega Granger use to invite complete strangers into our home to lime and my mother (Amelia Granger) used to get vex. I enjoy living here and sharing experiences with other people from all around the world," Granger said.
She added that the "Wwoofers" who come to her home are always willing to work.
"They don't hesitate to do anything. When we harvest, we put all the produce in the back of the wagon and we drive down the street honking the horn and selling. They think doing that is great fun," she said. Granger said the foreigners cook for themselves and use the produce from the garden to make their own meals.
"I teach them how to cook our kind of food as well as other products such as tamarind sauce, preserves, and pepper sauce," she said.
"They say they benefit more from me but I don't think so. I benefit more from them because they really help me with growing the crops and even selling it."
The foreigners stay a maximum of five-and-a-half months once they get an extension of stay from the T&T Immigration department.
'Enjoying village life and Trini food'
Many of the foreigners said their experiences at One Family Farms had changed their mindset about T&T's negative international image.
Rich Merrington, a primary school teacher from England said, "We have read the travel advisories and at first we were hesitant to come but our experiences here have been great!"
He added, "This is one big community where people cook from one big pot and on evenings they come together for a big lime. We don't have that kind of community life where I come from; everyone eating, drinking and liming together. The taste of the food is awesome. Doubles is just brilliant! Before I came here I've never heard of patchoi but I love it. I never ate ochroes. In England, we have more root vegetables like potatoes, turnips." He said the cost of living was cheaper in T&T compared to other places.
His girlfriend Caitlin Bannon, 26, a podiatrist of Sunderland, England, said Trinidad has been one of their best experiences when it comes to food.
She said Granger's coconut rice was delightful adding that she has become addicted to tamarind sauce. Having been on tour with Merrington for almost two years, Bannon said they visited Mexico, US, Canada, Cuba, Barbados, Grenada, and St Lucia.
"Here is a totally different experience. For example, we have no hot water here. We shower with cold water. There is a curtain hanging from the bathroom so there isn't any real privacy and that got some getting used to, but I love Giselle and our time here has been so wonderful. I've felt so safe here because she looks after us really well," Bannon added.
Anouck Roignot from France, a researcher in geology, said she too loved Trinidad as a destination.
"I had gone to another Caribbean island before and they told me to be careful when I get here because there is so much crime. Now that I have met so many wonderful people, I am not afraid. Everything here is so green and beautiful," Roignot said.
Ruthy Woodring, a trash haulier from Massachusetts, US, said the best part of Moruga was walking down the street and having many people to speak to.
"I ride a bicycle to haul trash and I noticed there aren't many bikes here so I have access to bikes and I want to ship down some for the people here so they can ride through the countryside. There are really good people in Moruga," she added. Woodring built a bench out of bamboo as well as a trellis for the plants.
Nike Windmueller from Germany, who returns to her homeland in April, said she lived in big cities all her life where everything is bought in a supermarket.
"We got a tour through the area and they were pointing out what grass could be used for different things. They are at one with the environment," she said. Windmueller said she was astonished to see the plants she cultivated growing so rapidly.
"Where I live there was no place to plant. Everyone here is so full of questions. I have been to 20 different countries and the family spirit that exists here among people who are not blood related is really wonderful," Windmueller said.
Leeja Friday, a Trini member of the farm said the volunteer programme had benefited the community of Moruga.
"I feel very nice having them around. It is nice to meet people from all over the world. They have taught me to do many things. Sharing and learning from each other is a good thing," Friday added.