Cancun’s Food Waste Crisis as Families Go Hungry

Cancun, QRoo — In this internationally renowned tourist destination, a stark contradiction exists: the city holds the second-highest national ranking for food waste, with more than 200 tons discarded daily, while families struggle to access a basic meal.

A study by the Banco de Alimentos de Cáritas Quintana Roo, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), and local universities reveals that each resident discards 260 grams of food per day. Nearly 60 percent of this wasted food is in perfect condition. The study further notes that in the state, more than 550,000 people live in food poverty.

Faced with this contrast, the civil association Integración para la Vida (Inpavi) intervenes directly to support vulnerable families by distributing food baskets that ensure adequate nourishment at least three times per year. The majority of the beneficiaries are households led by women dedicated to informal commerce, who face not only nutritional deficiencies but also health complications such as diabetes or malnutrition, according to Gabriela Hurtado, the Inpavi delegate in Cancun.

While these efforts are vital, Hurtado acknowledges their limitations and emphasizes the need for alliances. The organization coordinates with the government to broaden its reach through official support programs.

Additionally, Inpavi receives key contributions from the private sector, such as a recent donation of more than 300,000 pesos from the Oxxo chain to sustain and expand its food programs.