Over 187,000 People in Juárez Live in Food Poverty; Food Bank Seeks to Expand Coverage
Ciudad Juárez, February 26, 2026 – Thousands of families in this border city are unable to acquire a basic food basket despite having incomes, a situation described as food poverty. The Food Bank of Ciudad Juárez A.C. currently serves 24% of this population, but more than 140,000 people remain without support, and a waiting list of 1,500 applicants continues to grow.
According to figures from the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL), over 187,000 people in Ciudad Juárez are in a state of food poverty. This means that even if they allocate all their economic resources to food, it would not be enough to secure a complete basic food basket for their families, a condition referred to as food insecurity.
Food Bank’s Efforts and Challenges
The Food Bank of Ciudad Juárez A.C. has been working for the past three years, since its founding in May 2023, to address this critical need. However, the increasing demand continues to outstrip available resources. Ángel Enríquez Martínez, Communications Executive for the institution, explained, “There are more than 187,000 Juárez residents in food poverty. This implies that, despite dedicating all their funds, all their economic income to food, it would not even be enough to have a complete basic food basket for the family; that is food insecurity.”
Currently, the Food Bank provides support to 24% of the food-poor population, which translates to 46,144 individuals. Nevertheless, 76% of this population, over 140,000 Juárez residents, still struggle to provide sufficient food for their homes.
The organization also provides meals in schools, where the bank either prepares breakfasts for children or delivers bulk supplies for parents to prepare, with prior nutritional advice. At present, 11,500 families receive food packages, 56 institutions receive bulk food, and 9 schools benefit from prepared breakfasts or ingredients for parents to make the first meal of the day.
Growing Demand and Waiting Lists
The challenge remains substantial. The organization maintains a waiting list of 1,500 individuals seeking access to food support, reflecting a continuously increasing need in the border region. Gabriela Fierro, Coordinator of the Social Work Area at the institution, stated that there are approximately 1,500 scheduled appointments until April. Additionally, about 30 communities are on a waiting list to be addressed during March.
“In cases of extreme poverty, we seek sponsorship; we invite individuals, companies, and churches to get to know the Bank and support these families who may not even have a plate of food,” a representative from the Food Bank noted.
Operational Model and Community Involvement
The support provided by the Food Bank is diverse, ranging from family food packages of approximately 16 kilograms, which include groceries (such as toilet paper and soap), cereals, grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables, to bulk food for institutions like shelters, soup kitchens, nursing homes, or rehabilitation centers.
In all cases, the Food Bank requests a recovery fee, which, according to Ángel Enríquez, influences the psychology of the beneficiaries. “It helps them feel that it is not a gift, that they value the food, and that we can continue to operate and have a management plan,” he explained, noting that several products included in the packages must be purchased.
To achieve its coverage, the Bank has organized a network of 337 committees, composed of volunteers who collect the food packages and deliver them to beneficiaries in schools, churches, or parks. A small additional contribution, ranging from 10 to 30 pesos, is requested to cover gasoline costs.
Food packages are delivered every 15 days and have a recovery fee of 120 pesos, meaning beneficiaries should not pay more than 150 pesos in total. For bulk food, institutions cover only 10% of its actual cost.
Vulnerability Assessment and Long-Term Support
Gabriela Fierro explained that all beneficiaries receive support for an initial period of up to 12 months. To register a beneficiary, vulnerability characteristics, primarily related to food insecurity, such as the body mass index of each family member, are assessed. At the end of the support period, the information is updated to determine if the family remains in vulnerable conditions.
Through the “Senda de Generosidad” (Path of Generosity) program, 90 families who cannot even cover the recovery fee due to abandonment, being bedridden, or facing a disability, receive a food package at their doorstep every 15 days. However, hundreds more may require this type of assistance.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and efficient management, the institution managed to join the National Network of Food Banks of Mexico in its first year, a process that typically takes at least three years, depending on the operational efficiency of each bank. This affiliation has allowed them to receive donations from large corporations such as Costco, Sam’s, Soriana, and OXXO, in addition to rescuing agricultural products from the field.
Source: El Heraldo de Juárez
