The Costas of Havana ONE WEEK'S FOOD IN APRIL Grains amp; Other Starchy Foods:08 malanga (potatolike vegetable), 9.9 lb bread ration, 8.8 lb potato...

Cuba: The Costas of Havana 

ONE WEEK'S FOOD IN APRIL 

Grains & Other Starchy Foods: $1.08 

malanga (potatolike vegetable), 9.9 lb bread ration, 8.8 lb

potato ration, 6.6 lb

white rice ration, 6.6 lb 

pasta ration, spaghetti, 2.2 lb cornmeal, 1 lb 

Dairy: $6.05 

yogurt ration,‡ 1.9 gal cheese, 2.2 lb 

Meat, Fish & Eggs: $15.71 

chicken, 3.3 lb

pork chops, 2.2 lb

egg ration, 12

fish,‡ 1.1 lb, caught by Ramon pork leg, frozen, 1 lb 

Fruits, Vegetables & Nuts: $4.19 

watermelons,‡ 26.5 lb

yellow bananas, 6.8 lb

oranges, 4.4 lb

pineapple, 2.6 lb

limes, 2.2 lb, for drinks and preparation of 

fish 

papayas, 2.2 lb guava, 1.1 lb

white onions, 4.2 lb green cabbage, 1 head black beans, 1.7 lb red beans, 1.7 lb lettuce, 1.4 lb cucumbers, 1.1 lb garlic, 1.1 lb tomatoes, 1.1 lb 

Doña Tina 

tomato sauce, 1 box red pepper, 8 oz

green pepper, 8 oz 

Condiments: $4.08 

vegetable oil ration, 1.1 qt

white sugar, 2.2 lb

salsa, 12 oz

red and green chili peppers, 8.8 oz salt, 8.8 oz 

Ybarra vinegar, 4 fl oz mayonnaise, 2.5 fl oz black pepper, 2 oz Maggi allspice, 2 oz oregano, 2 oz 

Wong Wing soy sauce, 0.9 fl oz

La Anita bijol (seasoning made from 

annotto seeds), 0.3 oz 

Snacks & Desserts: $5.00 

Cakes, small, 10 

Prepared Food: $3.05 

Spaghetti sauce,‡ 1.1 qt 

During the week Lisandra has lunch at school or joins her brother Mario at her aunt's apartment for rice, beans, eggs, and/or fish. Ramon and Sandra eat the same foods for lunch at their places of employment. 

Restaurants: $10.00 

Once a week, Sandra likes to go for Chinese food with the whole family; she likes fried rice. 

Beverages: $7.60 

Ciego Montero TuKola cola, 2 1.6-qt bottles 

Cristal beer, 7 12-fl - oz cans coffee ration, 1.1 lb

Amor liquor, 8.5 fl oz

tap water for drinking and cooking. 

Miscellaneous: Food Expenditure for One Week: Cerelac ration,‡ fed to dog. $1,475.88 

Cuban pesos: $56.76 

Question: Question: What does this family's weekly groceries reveal or suggest about 

•  the family's standard of living? 
•  the lifestyle of the family members' lives? 
•  the political situation of the country? 
•  the environmental impact of food choice? 
•  the economic situation of food choices? 
•  cultural influences?