Recently, a Cuban residing in Miami captured a video of a cart loaded with fresh bread being discarded as waste, meant to feed animals, and juxtaposed it with the harsh reality in Cuba. On the island, countless children have been deprived of bread for months.
Shared on Facebook by the account "Pesca en Miami," the video has amassed over 238,000 views, inciting a wave of reactions among the Cuban exile community.
"Hello everyone, these are the things that break my heart. You see this here, and in Cuba, there is no bread. Look at this, it's for the chickens, for the animals. This is what gets thrown away every day in this country," the video creator laments as he shows the bread with his hand.
The video starkly contrasts a whole cart of fresh bread discarded in the United States with the dire situation in Cuba, where children lack access to this basic food.
"An entire cart of bread, which I'm sure is better than the bread from the store in Cuba," he asserts. "And the children in Cuba haven't seen bread in ages. I'm certain that right now, there are many children in Cuba who can't enjoy a piece of bread in the morning."
Escalating Bread Shortages on the Island
The bread shortage in Cuba is not just perception; it's an escalating crisis. In Villa Clara, the distribution of rationed bread has been restricted since February 2026 to only children under 13 and seniors over 65 due to shortages of flour, fuel, and electricity.
In Guantánamo, distribution is confined to children, hospitals, and prioritized social services. In several areas, the weight of subsidized bread has been reduced from 80 grams to just 40 grams, with some families going without it for more than three weeks.
Alberto López Díaz, the Minister of the Food Industry, admitted in June 2026 that wheat mills were either inactive or running at minimal capacity, and only one out of six wheat shipments contracted for that year had arrived in the country.
Cuba requires approximately 20,000 tons of wheat flour monthly for rationed bread production. However, in Ciego de Ávila, the province received just 32 tons at the end of May, enough for only two days of distribution for over 430,000 residents.
Widespread Malnutrition Among Cuban Children
The situation is dire, with over 100,000 children not receiving their daily milk ration, as acknowledged by the same official. A mother from Santiago de Cuba reported on Wednesday that four of her eight children are malnourished, sometimes going to bed hungry, and she has gone without food for two days to spare what little there is for her children.
The Food Monitor Program estimated that by April 2026, an alarming 96.91% of the Cuban population lacked adequate food access, and the World Food Program reported that 48.5% of schoolchildren aged six to 11 were not receiving meals or snacks at educational institutions.
The "Pesca en Miami" video concludes with a poignant question that resonates throughout the Cuban diaspora: "Dear God, when will my Cuba be free?" As the video ends, the resonant tune of "Patria y Vida," the anthem of the Cuban protest movement that emerged after the demonstrations on July 11, 2021, can be heard in the background.
The nutritional plight of Cuban children has only worsened. According to UNICEF, by November 2025, approximately 9% of children under five were suffering from severe food deprivation, a figure that international organizations caution may have deteriorated since.
The Impact of Food Scarcity in Cuba
What is the current state of food scarcity in Cuba?
Food scarcity in Cuba is a severe crisis, with widespread shortages affecting basic commodities like bread and milk. The situation is exacerbated by logistical and resource constraints, leading to nutritional deficiencies among children and vulnerable populations.
How are Cuban children affected by this food shortage?
Cuban children are significantly impacted by the food shortage, with many facing malnutrition and inadequate access to essential nutrients. The lack of consistent food supply has led to health issues and a decline in overall well-being.
What are the reactions of the Cuban exile community to the food waste in the U.S.?
The Cuban exile community has expressed outrage and sadness over the contrast between food waste in the U.S. and scarcity in Cuba. Many feel a deep sense of frustration and helplessness, longing for a change that would alleviate the suffering on the island.