Food Bank Boosts Rescue Efforts as Easter Waste Rises in Quintana Roo

Cancún, Quintana Roo — As food consumption spikes during the Easter holiday season, the Quintana Roo Food Bank is ramping up operations to rescue more surplus products and support thousands of vulnerable families, amid rising food waste levels.

Miguel Gutiérrez, director of Cáritas Food Bank in the state, said the organization has significantly increased its recovery capacity, growing from 170 to over 200 tons of rescued food per month—a rise of about 30 tons compared to last year.

This expansion came after the bank acquired new equipment, including a 14-ton truck that broadens collection coverage, enabling weekly trips to distribution centers in Mérida to recover meat products like ham and sausages.

Gutiérrez noted that holiday periods, such as Easter, see a surge in food waste, particularly in households. Recent studies show Cancún residents discard an average of 220 grams of food per person daily, ranking it among the highest-waste cities out of six analyzed.

The bank currently serves nearly 16,000 beneficiaries, providing an average of nine kilograms of food per person monthly. Family packages exceed 30 kilograms and include staples, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and beverages.

Gutiérrez explained that many beneficiaries work in the informal sector or, despite having jobs, live in vulnerable conditions that hinder consistent access to adequate nutrition.

He also highlighted that rising fuel costs pose an operational challenge, as they represent one of the bank’s main expenses after payroll, impacting collection and distribution logistics.

Despite these hurdles, the organization continues to expand its reach into communities like Playa del Carmen, Chiquilá, and Solferino, aiming to add more partners—currently over 60 companies—and keep fighting both food waste and poverty in the region.