The Urban Farmers of Cuba

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Called an
Called an "agricultural miracle," the urban farmers of Cuba have cultivated a sustainable system that has improved the lives of health of its workers.
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What began as 3.7 hectares of
What began as 3.7 hectares of "worthless" land, Miguel Salcines Lopez has expanded his urban garden to an 11 hectare, 160 worker effort.
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"Slow Food Almanac" advocates the belief that people have been too far removed from the cooking and creation of their food, and that simple meals made with love and care are a more rewarding and sustaining experience.

Slow Food Almanac (Slow Food, 2013) argues that something valuable has been lost in this era of fast food and instant gratification. Humanity needs the pleasure meals made with love and attention, and from locally grown ingredients. A global, grassroots organization with supporters in 150 countries around the world, Slow Food International promotes the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment. This selection highlights urban farmers on the island nation of Cuba.

Urbanismo y Comida

Necessity, possibility and will. With these three words, an urban farmer sums up the driving forces behind the Cuban “agricultural miracle” for his interviewer, Sinan Koont, author of the article “The Urban Agriculture of Havana”.

I visited Organiponico Vivero Alamar, a sustainable community food urban garden on the outskirts of Havana, on a May morning in 2012. The organopónico*was about half an hour’s drive from where we were staying, past old baroque mansions and Art Deco buildings, green parks and the blue sea along the Malecón.

An Exemplary Experience

  • Published on May 28, 2014
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