Cuban military rations

[rationtin440]

I'm curious if anyone here knows what kind of food the Cuban military issues their members. I'm thinking that since chicken, pork, and beans seem to constitute a large portion of the hispanic cultural diet, just as rice seems to be for asian cultural diet, that it would be similar for the rations. However not sure how the tropical environment would influence the ration contents.

[Bypah]

I have tried to get infor about cuban military rations but is very difficult to get. I know the cuban military has an agro industrial complex.They have their farms, dairies and other food production facilities. Also have their own industrial complex with factories for uniforms, weapons ,munitions and other type of military hardwares. Also have a sector of the pharmaceutical and medical industry which they also control.

I found this picture of the food rations for a cuban adult. the food and other hygiene items is for 1 month.

3.8 kg of rice
283g dried beans
2.3 kg sugar
113g oz. coffee
about 2 cups of cooking oil
10 eggs
1 bag of salt
1 bar of soap
1 toothpaste
226g dried pasta
226g sweet cocoa
1.8 kg of potatoes
30 bread rolls
1 bottle of dishwashing liquid

MISSING ON THE PIC: 283g of fish ,223gof chicken , less than 500g of meat products.
**This diet is supplemented by food grown in home gardens; fruits veggies, bananas etc. and the raising of chickens or pigs.

What I also read is that kids get an alotment of powdered milk and vegetables at home and at their schools.

[donaldjcheek]

Back when the Soviet Union was still supplying Cuba, the combat rations were Soviet Army surplus "sukhoi paek" canned rations.

Naturally, the Cubans didn't think too much of them.

Currently the FAR is feeding prepared meals to its troops in the field. Not a whole lot of difference from what a civilian gets, although the serving military gets a higher meat ration than the general populace, and first crack at imported foods such as chocolate.

[fdsman]

I would think there wouldn't be any pre-prepared and preserved food ration packs like developed nations have. That to me is sickening, the fact that Castro is only feeding every adult around a pound of meat every month...We have people in our own country who eat that much in a day, or even a meal which is also sickening but just goes to show you the effects of communism and the effects of capitalism.

[dirtbag]

Red beans and rice...
Once a month, red beans, rice, and chicken.
For some strange reason, Communist countrys are always short of everything , except at the top...
There is no incentive to do well, as the state takes it all anyway!
The few at the top live well.
The Army lives well.
Sounds like North Korea!

[rationtin440]

Thanks for replies guys! I recall reading that the Cubans were not altogether thrilled with some of the "fraternal assistance" that the Soviets supplied during the cold war, especially the rations If I'm not mistaken the chinese and north koreans are largely self sufficient in the field and grow much of their own food rations, leaning heavily of course on cabbage and Rice which is a very good resource when u have lots of soldiers to feed. I'm curious if Cuban armed forces grow food at their bases to feed themselves also.

[donaldjcheek]

I probably need to clarify the ration system in Cuba.

The Ration Booklet (libreta de racionamiento) DOES NOT provide food for an individual; it indicates what you are allowed to buy from the government stores at subsidized prices. The official ration provides only about 1/3 of the daily calories a healthy person needs to survive - provided all ration items are available, which they usually are not. The deficit is made up by "creative coping," as the Cubans say - "Inventar, resolver y escapar" {invent, solve and escape). For example, community gardens, trade with others, small individual gardens, and black-market purchases (technically illegal, but authorities almost always turn a blind eye). In addition, until recently most Cubans received a free meal at their place of work. The practice has been stopped by Raul Castro, and each person is now given an extra 10-15 pesos per month to purchase a lunch instead.

Sadly, before 1959, Cuba was self-sufficient in most basic food staples and a net exporter of luxury foods. Now they can't even feed themselves. But don't blame Communism, no sir. It's all Uncle Sam's fault.

Also, you have to understand that there are four ration systems in Cuba - one for Communist Party officials, one for foreign tourists, one for government workers & the professional military, and the general system for everyone else.

[fdsman]

Thanks for replies guys! I recall reading that the Cubans were not altogether thrilled with some of the "fraternal assistance" that the Soviets supplied during the cold war, especially the rations If I'm not mistaken the chinese and north koreans are largely self sufficient in the field and grow much of their own food rations, leaning heavily of course on cabbage and Rice which is a very good resource when u have lots of soldiers to feed. I'm curious if Cuban armed forces grow food at their bases to feed themselves also.

The Chinese are better off than the north koreans, however in North Korea, there have been reported cases of people eating clay and weeds just to have something to fill their stomachs. In North Korea, the only place you can survive is in Pyongyang...

[Bypah]

I would think there wouldn't be any pre-prepared and preserved food ration packs like developed nations have. That to me is sickening, the fact that Castro is only feeding every adult around a pound of meat every month...We have people in our own country who eat that much in a day, or even a meal which is also sickening but just goes to show you the effects of communism and the effects of capitalism.

Actually I don't think is Castro's doing or the "effects of the dreaded communism", Cuba is not communist but a socialist regime.they use the word "communist" as a name not an ideology.
We have forgotten that the United States has kept an economic embargo and other sanctions for the past 51 years!!!!!!!. but there still countries and companies that go over the blockade to make bussiness with the cubans. So the cuban goverment has to do what ever it takes with what little they got so everybody ,EVERYBODY is fed.

How many people goes to bed hungry every night and every day in the US??? Some don't have the money to feed themselves and even kids go hungry or only eat the meals @ their schools.
and please don't blame it on Obama....

If they lift the economic embargo trust me the regime will fall eventually.....

[Bypah]

I probably need to clarify the ration system in Cuba.

Sadly, before 1959, Cuba was self-sufficient in most basic food staples and a net exporter of luxury foods. Now they can't even feed themselves. But don't blame Communism, no sir. It's all Uncle Sam's fault.

Hmmmmm...Not the US fault?????
Once again don't forget the following ;
1.Economic embargo that started in October 1960 and then went into full force on February 7, 1962.
2."Cuban Democracy Act "of 1992, a law enacted to reinforce the embargo to Cuba.
3 Helms-Burton Act of 1996, expanded in 1999-2000

Although the U.S. is the 5th largest exporter of goods, food and other goods to Cuba (6.6%) they sell everything to the cubans in cash and at inflated rates.

May I remind you is still in effect the longest economic embargo in modern history...
Sad that people forget the history of what happens around the world.....