Nancy L. Cohen is a professor and head of the Department of Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where she teaches (and researches) topics ranging from community nutrition and food safety education to nutrition of older adults.
Last year Cohen participated in an Altruvista’s trip to *Cuba to learn about sustainable agriculture and wellness issues facing Cuba, and she found the experience fascinating. So fascinating in fact that she is heading back to Cuba with Altruvistas this February to lead a professional delegation called *Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems and Wellness in Cuba.
What does Cohen find so fascinating about Cuba that she’s heading back for more? She shares:
Cuba is filled with contrasts – renovated vs. decaying architecture, state-run vs. private businesses, economic hardship vs. rich culture and arts. I felt that a short time in Cuba is not enough to fully comprehend the complexities, and wanted to return again to share with others and reflect upon Cuba’s past and future with a group with similar interests. Participants interested in food, health and wellness will experience systems that are very different from ours in the US, including economic, education, food, health care, and infrastructure.
Participants who join Cohen on the upcoming *Cuba trip will travel to Havana and nearby provinces to learn about sustainable agriculture, community development, preventive health care and food systems while experiencing the vibrant culture of Cuba through music and the arts.
Through site visits to farms, bioreserves and organizations in Havana and regional provinces, along with discussions with guest speakers and community representatives, participants will gain an understanding of the agricultural and social transitions Cuba has experienced, and learn new models addressing issues of sustainability, community development, food security and wellness.
During her last trip to Cuba, Cohen, who is a member of the Massachusetts Statewide Food Policy Council Advisory Committee and involved in local food issues, found it particularly interesting that the Cuban agricultural system was predominantly organic.
With her next trip to Cuba coming soon, Cohen is keen to explore whether there are ways to expand organic foods to an entire population in a way that is economically sustainable on a large scale, say, in the U.S., where economically disadvantaged people often lack access to and are priced out of buying organic foods.
Referring to her first trip to Cuba, “I did not come away with an easy answer to the question of how to expand organic agriculture so that it is more accessible to limited income populations at home. That’s one reason why I feel it is important to return and to keep learning and discussing and reflecting.”
She did return from that trip with an understanding of just how complex the topic of food sustainability truly is. Cohen:
Here in the US, organic food connotes a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. But in Cuba, we did not eat very many vegetables. Organic farming is sometimes done by necessity, and not necessarily to meet a health or environmental goal. On the other hand, we met with many farmers who were using innovative practices to increase the variety of vegetables served and to practice more sustainably. So there is a range of experiences and objectives within Cuban agriculture as well.
Even though the focus of the upcoming *Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems and Wellness in Cuba trip is on agriculture, health and wellness, Cohen explains, “We will also experience some of the arts and culture in Cuba. Music, dance and art are a central part of the Cuban culture and education. We will meet with artists of all ages who will share with us their stories, craft, and arts. And, we’ll see lots of antique cars!”
Interested in learning more about the upcoming journey to *Cuba?
If you’re curious about the day-to-day activities trip participants have to look forward to, you can download a detailed sample itinerary from this page.
*Altruvistas offers consultation services and in the case of journeys to Cuba, operates in a limited capacity and with only legal and licensed TSPs (Travel Service Providers issued by the US Treasury Department’s OFAC).
