The state-run dining hall of the Family Attention System (SAF) on Monte Street in Havana has only served chicken on a single occasion so far in 2026, according to Lázara Rosell, the economic manager, as reported by Inter Press Service (IPS) in an article published Thursday by accredited correspondent Dariel Pradas.
This facility caters daily to 269 individuals, an increase compared to 2025. Currently, the typical source of protein, usually a type of sausage, is delivered roughly every two weeks, unlike last year when it was a daily staple.
On Tuesday, October 13, diners experienced a rare stroke of luck when beans were secured at the last minute for lunch. Without this addition, their meals would have consisted mainly of bread, rice, and broth, as is often the case.
Sista Daisy Cabrera, a 71-year-old beneficiary, described how the quality of meals has deteriorated. "It's just white rice and broth. Nothing else. This problem started in 2026. In 2025, the meals were slightly better and cooked more properly," she stated.
The elderly woman also shared her struggles with finding food outside the dining hall. "There are days when I have no food and go without eating, maybe just a piece of bread. My daily life is desperate, incredibly stressful," she explained.
Faced with the shortfalls of state assistance, private and religious initiatives have stepped in to help fill the gap. Since June, the project La Hermana Cazuela, run by San Francisco el Nuevo Church in Havana's Historic Center, has been providing lunches three days a week to about 70 people. This initiative is mainly funded by donations from the Cuban diaspora and the Catholic Church's support.
Maykel González, a journalist and the project's coordinator, acknowledged the limited scope of such aid. "The solutions offered by individuals or small groups will always be very limited. I can never have enough food here for everyone who comes to the church's door," he remarked.
Established 30 years ago during the economic crisis of the 1990s, the SAF program was designed to provide subsidized meals to the elderly and the needy. Currently, there are over 4,400 units in operation.
The challenges faced by these establishments add to the broader concerns about the decline of social dining services in Cuba. In June, the SAF 0204 Villanueva in Boyeros went five months without liquefied gas, resorting to wood for cooking meals for 129 seniors.
In September, images circulated on social media displaying a SAF dining hall in Santiago de Cuba serving the elderly a concoction described as "water with cilantro and chopped garlic chives."
The demand for this program has risen from about 59,000 beneficiaries in 2023 to over 66,000 in 2025, while supply has significantly worsened this year. The growing number of people requiring the service starkly contrasts with the inability to provide adequate, regular meals at some of these centers.
Food insecurity is a growing issue for an aging population. At the end of 2025, 26.7% of Cubans were aged 60 or older, according to available data.
Moreover, a survey conducted by the Independent Trade Union Association of Cuba among 506 retirees across five provinces showed that 99% found their pensions insufficient to cover food, housing, and medication expenses.
In August, the government authorized, through Resolution 14/2026 from the Ministry of Domestic Trade, the involvement of private micro-enterprises and other non-state actors in managing SAF dining halls. This measure allows new operators to manage these facilities, although the state retains ownership of the properties and control over the beneficiaries.
The introduction of non-state management is seen as a potential way to reform these services, but the documented shortages in dining halls illustrate the significant challenges authorities face in ensuring food security for the most vulnerable.
Understanding the Crisis in Havana's State-Run Dining Halls
Why is there a shortage of chicken in the dining hall?
The shortage of chicken is part of a broader issue with food supply in state-run dining halls in Havana, where the usual protein sources are delivered infrequently, leading to reliance on less nutritious alternatives.
How are private and religious groups helping address food insecurity?
Private and religious groups like the La Hermana Cazuela project are providing additional meals to those in need, primarily funded by donations from the Cuban diaspora and church support, though these efforts are limited in scope.
What is the role of non-state actors in the management of SAF dining halls?
Non-state actors, including private micro-enterprises, have been allowed to manage SAF dining halls to improve their operations, though the state maintains ownership and beneficiary control.