Cuban families improve nutrition with vegetable gardens and food preservation

Alongside Hope has supported the Integral Development Program of the Episcopal Church of Cuba (ECC) for several years. The ECC continues its community-driven work to improve food security, economic empowerment, access to clean water, and disaster resilience across 50 rural communities. Building on strategies refined since 2018, the program leverages asset-based community development (ABCD) and the leadership of locally trained promoters to support families as they move toward self-sufficiency and become more resilient.

Currently, the program focuses on climate resilience. These initiatives include disaster risk reduction and mitigation, savings groups, nutrition and sustainable agriculture with direct impacts on at-risk communities.

In the area of food security, the program continues to support small holder farmers. Workshops and education opportunities include training in agricultural practices, animal husbandry and food preservation. Families also learned about healthy eating and how to process or preserve food, not only for themselves, but for selling in order to earn an income. In 2024-2025, the project improved food security for 90–100 households in 25 communities. This work was part of the larger that exceeded its direct participant target, engaging 9,193 individuals.