Sanitary, nutritional, and sustainable quality in food services of Brazilian early childhood education schools

Abstract

This study aimed at elaborating and implementing a strategy to evaluate food quality in public institutions of early childhood education of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), considering nutritional quality, food safety and food sustainability. A quantitative action research was developed from August 2017 to July 2018, and consisted of: elaboration of assessment instruments; sampling selection; application of instruments; interventions (trainings and visits); reapplication of instruments using Software; data analysis; and results release. Instruments’ preparation was based on three modules: Good Handling Practices (GHP), Good Nutritional Practices and Good Sustainability Practices (GSP). A sample of 50% (N = 9) of all the municipal schools was used. After application of the instruments, training was given to food handlers and managers from the surveyed schools through active methodologies. Then the instruments were reapplied. Visits finalized the work to clarify remaining doubts. Interventions were efficient, since all modules improved the average percentages of adequacy, GHP and GSP in a more significantly way. Handlers, raw materials, ingredients and packaging, and the rational use of water and electricity, were the aspects with the greatest improvements. Software expedited the reapplication of the instruments. The study highlights the importance of partnerships between academy and the public sector, and may serve as an example to other localities.