What does it truly mean to constantly be searching for something to eat? This seemingly simple question posed on Facebook opened the floodgates to numerous accounts from Cuban women describing the physical and emotional exhaustion of waking up each day uncertain of what they can put on the table.
This question surfaced in the group "Madres Cubanas Luchadoras 2," posted by a user named Lionelky Carrazana. The post received nearly 200 reactions and numerous comments, all echoing the same conclusion: the unending quest for food has turned daily life for many Cuban families into a relentless battle for survival.
"Fear, stress, anxiety, desperation, tears, until you find something, but you don't relax, you just get a momentary relief, because it's today, and you're already thinking about tomorrow," expressed Mary Yllas.
Her words encapsulate a recurring theme among the participants: finding food for a single day does not solve the problem but merely postpones it for a few hours.
The Health Toll of Food Insecurity
Bertha Martin, who is pregnant and responsible for a 10-year-old daughter and her sick mother, detailed the health repercussions of this uncertainty.
"Living in Cuba and going out daily to find food leads to issues with blood pressure, circulation, physical exhaustion, sleepless nights, and always thinking about what to cook the next day. Here, life doesn't mean anything," she lamented.
The comments paint a collective picture of fatigue, anxiety, and helplessness in the face of a crisis where obtaining food depends not only on availability but also on having enough money to buy it.
Endless Struggle Amid Power Outages
Adding to the scarcity and high prices is another issue that affects even the ability to store the little food a family might acquire: power outages.
Grettel García Sánchez explained that long-lasting power cuts often force people to buy food almost daily to prevent it from spoiling.
"Sometimes you go out and find nothing, or it's too expensive, or you only have electronic payment, and they won't accept it," she recounted.
Iracema Copello used an even starker analogy to describe the experience of trying to secure basic items like oil, chicken, or eggs.
"I feel like I'm in a pack of wild animals, unable to eat every day. And when I think I'm about to snatch a prey—oil, chicken, eggs—other wild creatures come, raise the price, and take them away. And I almost never get to eat," she shared.
Widespread Hunger and Government Admission
The stories shared in the group reflect a widespread issue. Data on food insecurity indicate that the problem affects a significant portion of the Cuban population.
A food security survey conducted by Food Monitor Program and Cuido60 in May revealed that 33.9% of surveyed households reported that at least one member had gone to bed hungry in the past 30 days.
The study also found that 94.9% had experienced some reduction in their ability to purchase food over the past year.
The gap between income and food costs underscores this reality. As of July 2026, the minimum wage is set at 3,210 Cuban pesos per month, equating to about $4.65 based on the informal exchange rate. However, Cuban economists estimate that a person might need over 70,000 pesos monthly just to meet their food needs.
One liter of oil costs around 3,000 pesos, and a carton of 30 eggs can range from 3,000 to 4,000. In practice, a single basic item can consume nearly an entire month's minimum wage.
Even the Cuban authorities have acknowledged the state's inability to guarantee basic food supplies.
In June, officials admitted the severe decline in supply. The Minister of the Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, acknowledged that during the year's early months, the rationed basket did not distribute products such as oil, chicken, and yogurt.
He also admitted that more than 100,000 children were not receiving their daily milk ration.
That same month, the government announced that the ration book would no longer have a universal character, marking one of the most significant changes in the rationing system since its inception in 1962, focusing subsidies on retirees, chronic patients, and those deemed vulnerable.
Psychological Impact on Cuban Women
Behind these statistics are stories like those shared in "Madres Cubanas Luchadoras 2," where many women describe the added burden of being primarily responsible for procuring and managing the household's food.
For those raising children alone, this pressure can be even greater.
"It means stress, pain even in the heart, especially for mothers raising their children alone because the fathers have abandoned them," wrote Zurama Gamboa.
Yuli Pereira Jiménez summed up the impact of this routine succinctly: "It's a constant psychological torture, a daily physical and emotional drain."
Addressing Food Insecurity in Cuba: Key Questions
What are the main causes of food insecurity in Cuba?
Food insecurity in Cuba is primarily caused by economic difficulties, including low wages, high inflation, and a government that struggles to provide basic food supplies. Additionally, power outages complicate food storage, exacerbating the issue.
How has the Cuban government responded to the food crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the supply issues and has made some policy changes, such as limiting the universal application of the ration book to focus on vulnerable populations. However, these measures have not fully addressed the widespread shortages and high prices.
What impact does food insecurity have on Cuban families?
Food insecurity in Cuba leads to stress, anxiety, health problems, and a constant struggle to meet daily nutritional needs. It affects not only physical health but also the psychological well-being of individuals and families, particularly women who often bear the responsibility of food procurement.