Cuba’s Revolution in Food

In Cuba, an organic food movement is growing.

During “the Special Period” in the 1990s, the country was on the brink of starvation. Lack of imports, farming tools like pesticides, and food shortages meant ordinary Cubans had to change the way they live, and eat Cuban food. People started growing their own crops in backyards and on rooftops. Farmers started using more sustainable, low-tech farming practises out of necessity. The Special Period sparked a new revolution in Cuban food.

First Organic Farm in Cuba

After our visit to a tobacco plantation and learning about Cuban cigars in Viñales, we stopped to have lunch at the first organic farm in all of Cuba. This organic farm grows 38 different kinds of fruits and vegetables – all hand-harvested, without the use of chemical fertilizers. About 10% of organic production is given to kids, elderly, and pregnant women who live in the community. It’s not a big number but it is a step toward more self-sufficient communities.

I was a guest of Locally Sourced but, as always all opinions are my own.