The food crisis continues to take a toll on the Cuban population. The state has resorted to selling cow bones to the public for making soup and alleviating hunger. A report by Cubanet highlighted the unsanitary conditions under which these bones, along with cow feet and stomach, are sold at an agricultural fair in the Old Havana municipality, specifically at Parque del Cristo.
The truck distributing these products belongs to the Artemisa province slaughterhouse. The meat is transported without refrigeration and sold under the scorching Cuban sun, without adhering to hygiene standards, with flies buzzing around, and handled without gloves, right in the middle of the street.
The government prioritizes most of the country's meat production for tourism. Hotels receive hundreds of pounds of beef, while the Cuban people are left with bones and animal by-products. This scenario has been unfolding in Cuba for years, reaching a point where people have come to accept the sale of bones and food in unhygienic conditions as something normal.
People with limited resources and mouths to feed purchase these fly-ridden tendons at high prices, trying to serve something with a hint of meat flavor to their children. The bones, cow feet, ribs, and stomach were sold at a price of 150 pesos per pound.
Understanding the Food Crisis in Cuba
Given the ongoing food crisis in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions that may help shed more light on the situation.
Why is the Cuban government selling cow bones to the public?
The Cuban government is selling cow bones to the public due to a severe food shortage. Most of the country's meat production is allocated to the tourism sector, leaving limited resources for the general population.
What are the conditions like at the agricultural fair in Old Havana?
The conditions at the agricultural fair in Old Havana are unsanitary. Meat is transported without refrigeration and sold in the open air, without any hygiene measures, amidst flies and other contaminants.
How much are cow bones being sold for in Cuba?
Cow bones, along with cow feet, ribs, and stomach, are being sold for 150 pesos per pound, despite the poor quality and unsanitary conditions.