National School Feeding Program Research Articles

Programas institucionais de aquisição de alimentos e organizações de produtores: catalisadores para a transformação de sistemas de abastecimento de alimentos de pequenos produtores

Os pequenos agricultores (ou agricultores familiares) são os principais responsáveis pela produção de alimentos em grande parte dos países em desenvolvimento. No entanto, a capacidade de acesso ao mercado é geralmente limitada, representando um dos principais obstáculos para a melhoria de seus modos de vida. Neste contexto, intervenções estatais que visam aumentar a demanda por produtos da agricultura familiar por meio de compras públicas de alimentos representam um importante instrumento para promover o acesso destes produtores ao mercado. Ao mesmo tempo, tais intervenções podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento e transformação dos sistemas locais de fornecimento de alimentos. As organizações de pequenos produtores, na qualidade de instrumento de ações coletivas, podem desempenhar um papel importante nesse processo. Esse estudo se baseia na experiência brasileira do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) e do Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA), assim como na iniciativa Compras para Progresso (P4P) do Programa Mundial de Alimentos das Nações Unidas. Ele tem como objetivo explorar o papel dos programas institucionais de compras públicas de alimentos e das organizações de produtores na promoção de oportunidades de comercialização para pequenos produtores e como catalisadores para a transformação de sistemas locais de fornecimento de alimentos da agricultura familiar.

Food and nutrition (in)security in families of farmers who supply the National School Feeding Program

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the situation of food and nutritional (in)security in families of farmers who supply the National School Feeding Program. Methods It is a cross-sectional study with 27 families of farmers (n=91). The socioeconomic, anthropometric, biochemical, food availability and perception of food insecurity indicators of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, as well as the time of supply and annual income originating from the program, were evaluated. Results Food insecurity, as measured by the scale, was present in 25.9% (n=7) of the families. Food insecurity was associated with socioeconomic factors such as per capita income, the presence of children at home and the number of residents. Food and nutritional insecurity caused by a low caloric availability (<2500kcal/day) occurred in 11.0% (n=3) of the families. Presence of dystrophies such as overweight, low weight and short stature individuals occurred in 89.0% (n=24) of the families. Conclusion The study reinforces the existence of variables associated with food insecurity. Social and nutritional factors should be monitored, worked on, and improved in order to achieve food and nutritional security.

Interactions between dietary habits and identities: redefining public schools and school meals

Studies on dietary practices in the scope of the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE) have identified a paradox: while the PNAE has progressed as a policy based on the human right to adequate diet, it has a paternalistic bias which tends to contribute to stigmatized identities. A study was thus performed to understand the interactions between dietary practices in school meals and identities. The theoretical and methodological approach was ethnographic, focusing on the scenario of a public school in the municipality (county) of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia State, Brazil, in the upper years of elementary school. The ethnographic work was done in seven months, consisting of observation of daily meals at the school, recorded on a field diary, as well as 23 interviews with students and key actors. Analysis of the material consisted of a hermeneutic exercise and categorization of the emerging themes. This article is a cross-section of the study, presenting two categories: the first, "The school is ours", analyzes the redefinition of school in relation to a stigmatized identity; the second, "Food is what unites", presents school meals as a structuring element in students' identities and that of the school itself. The findings also show how the dialogue between the field of education and the field of food and nutrition can help school meals become part of school practices, not as mere nutritional support, but as food that values the public school and its members.

Aplicação da análise sensorial como determinante da qualidade da alimentação escolar

O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar tem como objetivo promover o crescimento, a aprendizagem e a formação de boas práticas alimentares dos alunos, favorecendo, dessa forma, a permanência na escola e a melhoria do desempenho escolar. O Programa também é responsável pela alimentação diária de milhões de alunos matriculados no sistema público de educação. Este artigo de revisão bibliográfica objetivou descrever como a aplicação da análise sensorial é importante para verificar a qualidade da alimentação oferecida aos escolares. Existem duas maneiras de realizar os testes de aceitabilidade: pode ser por meio de resto ingestão, que deve ter no mínimo 90% de aceitabilidade; e pela escala hedônica, que deve ter no mínimo 85%. Os resultados dos testes de aceitabilidade contribuem para verificar sobre a aceitação de determinado alimento pelos escolares, o qual também é um importante fator para determinar a qualidade do serviço prestado pelas escolas em relação ao fornecimento da alimentação escolar. Além disso, essa prática auxilia o trabalho da Nutricionista e evita o desperdício de recursos públicos, pois ajuda na compra de gêneros alimentícios e no planejamento de cardápios.

Purchase of products directly from family farms for the National School Feeding Program (PNAE): cross-sectional study with the universe of brazilian municipalities

The integration of family farming with school meals has the potential to improve the variety of school menus thereby bringing the production and consumption of food into closer alignment. This study researched the Brazilian municipalities with respect to the purchase of food from family farms for the National School Food Program. It involved a cross-sectional study conducted via an electronic questionnaire sent to 5,565 municipalities in the country. The research included 93.2% of the municipalities (n = 5,184), 78.5% of which acquired food from family farms, with the highest frequency (95.5%) of the municipalities making the purchase in the southern region, and the lowest (67.9%) in the Central West region. The large-scale municipalities, with mixed, decentralized or outsourced school food management, and without a nutritionist as technical manager, purchased food less frequently from family farms. The conclusion reached is that, despite the widespread acquisition of food from family farms in the program throughout the country, 50% of municipalities did not invest the minimum required by law, requiring actions aimed at compliance with legislation and greater investment, especially in states and regions which revealed the greatest difficulties.

The Impact at Scale of the Ghana School Feeding Programme on Primary School-Age Children's Anthropometry: A Cluster Randomised Trial

Background: Attention to nutrition during all phases of child and adolescent development is necessary to ensure healthy physical growth and to protect investments made earlier in life. Leveraging school feeding programmes as platforms to scale-up nutrition interventions is relevant as programmes function in nearly every country in the world. This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of the national school feeding programme in Ghana on school-age children's anthropometry indicators. Methods: A longitudinal cluster randomized control trial was implemented across the 10 regions of Ghana, covering 2,869 school age children (aged 5-15y). Communities were randomized to 1) control group without intervention; or 2) treatment group providing the reformed national school feeding programme. Primary outcomes included height-for-age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age (BAZ) scores. The analysis followed an intention to treat approach as per the published protocol for the study population and sub-group analysis by age (i.e. mid-childhood for children 5-8y and early adolescence for children 9-15y), gender, poverty and region of residence. We used single difference ANCOVA with mixed-effect regression models to assess programme impacts. Findings: School feeding had no effect on HAZ and BAZ in children aged 5-15 years. However, in per protocol subgroup analysis, the school feeding intervention improved HAZ in 5-8y old children (effect size 0.12 SDs), in girls (effect size 0.12 SDs), particularly girls aged 5-8y living in the northern regions, and in children aged 5-8 in households living below the poverty line (effect size 0.22 SDs). There was also evidence that the intervention influenced food allocation and sharing at the household level. Interpretation: Schools feeding can provide a platform to scale-up nutrition interventions in the early primary school years, with important benefits accruing for more disadvantaged children. Trial Number: Trial registered on the ISRCTN Registry as ISRCTN66918874 Funding Statement: This trial was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dubai Cares. Declaration of Interests: Aulo Gelli received support from the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), led by the International Food Policy Research Institute. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Noguchi Memorial Medical Research Institute of the University of Ghana and sought at the Imperial College Research Ethics Committee. Meetings were held from early stages in the study development with relevant government ministries both at central and decentralised levels to discuss the purpose, procedures and risks involved in the study. Informed consent was obtained from parents/guardians of children through written and verbal information provided before interviews.

Public Policies for Food Security and Rural Development in a Brazilian Cooperative

PAA (Food Purchase Program) and PNAE (National School Feeding Program) are known worldwide as pioneers public policies on fighting food insecurity and rural poverty. We have analyzed the participation of a family farmers’ Cooperative on such programs as a supplier of organic products. Both programs revealed to be economically relevant and promote local governance if well executed, depending on the level of commitment from local administrations, beneficiaries and farmers. However, both are yet highly sensible to governmental changes as we’ve identified municipalities that explore their fully potential and others which do not engage, even though Brazilian law requires them so.

Adequação numérica de nutricionista, perfil de cardápios, número de alunos nos serviços de alimentação escolardo sul do Rio Grande do Sul

O objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar a execução dos serviços de alimentação escolar de escolas públicas de municípios da Zona Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, bem como obter informações referentes aos seus cardápios, alunos e adequação numérica de nutricionistas. Em 2015 foi realizado um estudo transversal com nutricionistas dos serviços de alimentação escolar de municípios da Associação da Zona Sul do estado filiada à Federação das Associações de Municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Após autorização dos gestores municipais e consentimento próprio, os profissionais responderam a um questionário online sobre suas características sociodemográficas, de formação e de atuação nos serviços de alimentação escolar, além de perguntas sobre número de alunos e de refeições nas escolas. Verificou-se a inadequação do número de nutricionistas nos municípios, bem como a carga horária total dos mesmos em relação às recomendações. Todos os nutricionistas dos serviços eram do sexo feminino, mais da metade tinha mais de 40 anos (53,9%) e quase 2/3 tinham pós-graduação (61,5%). A maior parte dos profissionais relatou ter responsabilidade técnica pela alimentação escolar (84,6%) e em termos de esfera das escolas, as municipais foram mais frequentes (77,0%). Quanto ao número de refeições servidas anualmente, a maioria servia 20 mil ou mais na creche (46,2%), na pré-escola (76,9%) e no ensino fundamental (76,9%). Todas as profissionais elaboravam os cardápios das escolas conforme hábitos alimentares, sendo que, 46,1% elaboravam por modalidade de ensino e quase 70% referiram preocupação com valor calórico total, macro e micronutrientes conforme a faixa etária do escolar. Referente às preparações apenas 30% referiram uso de per capitas, de ficha técnica de preparo e de ficha técnica de produto. A inadequação do número de profissionais e a falta de padronização das preparações, encontrados no estudo, podem ser devido à sobrecarga de tarefas, as quais possivelmente despendem bastante tempo para o gerenciamento dos serviços e dos recursos do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar.

Análise comparativa do desenvolvimento do PNAE entre as escolas estaduais e municipais de Santa Maria (RS) à luz dos elementos potenciais da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN)

The National School Feeding Program (PNAE) is the main governmental program for feeding school children and young people, whose guidelines, over the past few years, are increasingly based on the assumptions of Food and Nutritional Security (SAN). The objective of this work is to compare the two forms of operationalization of the PNAE, with emphasis on the two types of management: decentralized (state schools) and centralized (municipal schools), based on the perception of the actors involved in the operationalization of the program in relation to efficiency and possible inefficiencies in compliance with SAN principles in the municipality of Santa Maria – Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. Secondly, the study involves consideration regarding the capacity of the PNAE in the form in which it has been developed to potentialize sustainability. The study consists of an in situ sample survey, in the state and municipal schools of Santa Maria–RS, and in a literature review. The results show that despite the importance and scope of PNAE in the municipality, the program does not fully meet the assumptions of the SAN; in consequence, it is also incapable of promoting the full potential of sustainability present in the conjectures of the program. In state schools, the main obstacles are related to infrastructural deficiency, while in municipal schools, this factor has a less prominent negative influence, but another factor reduces effectiveness in school meals, that being the obstacles related to the acquisition of more “fresh” food. Although the PNAE is an important public policy with potential for intersectoral dynamization, it has nevertheless been unable to fully reach at the local level its capacity to promote sustainability. Greater effectiveness in the internal dimension of the PNAE, and in promoting broader social change towards sustainability, is linked to the commitment of all the social actors involved in its implementation, as well as in the state's capacity to manage and arbitrate conflicts and inevitable inefficiencies encountered along the way.PAULI, Rita Inês Paetzhold; SCHULZ, Jéferson Réus da Silva; ZAJONZ, Bruna Tadielo; STEINDORFF, Kelen. Análise comparativa do desenvolvimento do PNAE entre as escolas estaduais e municipais de Santa Maria (RS) à luz dos elementos potenciais da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN). Estudos Sociedade e Agricultura, jun. 2018, v. 26, n. 2, p. 447-479, ISSN 2526-7752.

Good practices and microbiological quality of food contact surfaces in public school kitchens

AbstractThe objective of this work was to analyze the hygienic and sanitary conditions of 52 school kitchens and to investigate the microbiological contamination of surfaces that contact food. A specific checklist was used to classify the units' health risk. Microbiological samples were collected from utensils, bench, and equipment in 10 units to evaluate the contamination levels of these surfaces. In total, 3.8% of the evaluated units had a very low health risk, and 61.5% had a low sanitary risk, indicating that most of the sites were adequately sanitary. Important failures have been identified in the block of buildings and facilities. Inadequacies related to hand hygiene, the absence of the manual of good practices and environmental hygiene were also highlighted. Microbiological analyses resulted in high counts of aerobic mesophiles and enterobacteria. Intervention with the involvement of all the actors of the National School Feeding Program is suggested for improving the situation.Practical applicationsThis study is important, since it carried out the survey of the information regarding the adoption of good practices and sanitary conditions in the food production in the school environment, considering the relevance of the subject and vulnerability of the attended public. In this way, such information may guide corrective and preventive actions in the face of observed situations.

DIALOGANDO SOBRE AS POSSIBILIDADES E DESAFIOS DAS MERENDEIRAS NAS AÇÕES DE EDUCAÇÃO ALIMENTAR E NUTRICIONAL

Objetivo: Discutir o papel da merendeira no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, assim como suas possibilidades e desafios nas ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional. Metodologia: Pesquisa qualitativa, utilizando a técnica de Grupo de Diálogos. O grupo estudado foi composto por 23 merendeiras de uma cidade da Baixada Fluminense, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados e Discussão: O potencial educativo das merendeiras está apoiado nas relações de afeto que desenvolvem com os educandos e nas qualificações que realizam para desenvolver novas habilidades. Entretanto, a falta de tempo e de integração com a equipe escolar se apresentam como desafios para a realização da função educativa dessas profissionais. Conclusão: A função educativa da merendeira está permeada de possibilidades e desafios, sendo interessante valorizar seus aspectos potenciais para a Educação Alimentar e Nutricional e contribuir para a superação de seus desafios. Assim, será possível usufruir ainda mais do potencial educativo desse programa.DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2018.31340

Brazilian underutilised species to promote dietary diversity, local food procurement, and biodiversity conservation: a food composition gap analysis

BackgroundBrazil is home to a large portion of the world's biodiversity, but, paradoxically, the country's agriculture and food security are very reliant on exotic or introduced crops or species. Native species are being neglected and forgotten with natural landscapes and traditional foods being replaced by monocultures of commodity crops and pasture for livestock, causing habitat and biodiversity loss. At the same time, Brazil faces dietary simplification and high levels of malnutrition. Much of the neglected native biodiversity is highly nutritious and exploring these food sources could help provide sustainable solutions to diversifying diets, tackling malnutrition problems, and promoting agricultural development through local food procurement, while also promoting biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and resilience. However, notable knowledge and evidence gaps still need to be addressed to better integrate biodiversity for enhancing food and nutrition security, including scientific data on the nutritional value and composition of native underutilised species. In Brazil, the Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition (BFN) project generated food composition data, developed recipes, and increased appreciation and awareness of the value of underutilised, nutrient-rich biodiversity through strategic research partnerships with universities and research institutes. MethodsFor this food composition gap analysis of native Brazilian biodiversity, the BFN project established partnerships with universities and research institutes for the generation of food composition data (macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals) and the development of recipes for 70 native underutilised species of fruits and vegetables of economic potential. Food composition data was gathered by doing a literature review, using compilation methods developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Network for Food Data Systems. Food composition analysis is being done for data that was missing or incomplete. Data is being made available on a food composition and recipes database developed with the Information System on Brazilian Biodiversity. FindingsFrom May, 2014, to March, 2016, the nine partner universities in Brazil compiled existing food composition data for 59 of the 70 selected indigenous Brazilian fruit and vegetable species for which data were available. Food composition analysis is being done for missing or incomplete data (especially for vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre) for all 70 species and will be finalised in 2018. Results thus far show that many of the studied species are high in vitamins, such as the high concentrations of vitamin A encountered in the pulp of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes; 317 μg retinol activity equivalent [RAE] per 100 g), tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum; 808 μg RAE per 100 g) and buriti (Mauritia flexuosa; 1204 μg RAE per 100 g). High vitamin C concentrations were found in the pulp of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia; 1620 mg/100 g), guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa; 428 mg/100 g) and mangaba (Hancornia speciosa; 209 mg/100 g). Protein concentrations were high in seeds of chicha (Sterculia striata; 19 g/100 g), pequi (Caryocar brasiliense; 29 g/100 g) and baru (Dipteryx alata; 29 mg/100 g). InterpretationThe data is being used as an advocacy tool for promoting native species in public initiatives including policy incentives for improving their production and market chains. By working through regional partners, capacities were developed in different regions, directly engaging more than 100 students and professors. These groups act as multipliers, building additional human capacity and operating as opinion leaders and policy advisors, including the provision of research and technical backstopping for municipal managers, school managers, nutritionists, and cooks responsible for implementing the National School Feeding Programme, thus the partnership is likely to favour the inclusion of biodiversity in school meals. FundingGlobal Environment Facility.

Malnutrition and school feeding programmes

Assessing national nutrition status is important due to the concern caused by malnutrition. The present article explores the questions and limitations associated with assessment of nutritional status in a community and the role of national school feeding programme to improve health. Nutritionists have been using for decades biological indicators (anthropometric, biochemical and clinical) and social determinants as essential parameters, in comparison with predetermined standards, but rarely consider that manifestations of nutrition deficiencies may only occur in severe cases and in the future. There is as yet no single effective approach to malnutrition management and it is unlikely that a single delivery system would suit all situations worldwide. Data on the most effective time and type of intervention are still lacking. Throughout decades United Nations initiated many Plans towards fighting hunger and recently for the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030. We set low expectations for the outcome of these international plans since most of the financial investments never fully reach the people in need. The malnutrition situation is worsened by the well-known conflict, socio-economic and climatic shocks, which affect production and access to key resources. Malnutrition and hunger must be tackled from infancy, preferably in programmes gathering the whole community of farmers around each school. We briefly review this complex approach and some positive outcomes.

Analysis of the national school feeding program in the municipality of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To analyze the implementation of the Brazilian National School Feeding Program as a food and nutritional security policy in public schools.METHODS This a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, carried out with 268 schoolchildren aged eight to nine years from the public school system of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2015. Interviews were carried out using semi-structured questionnaires with the children, parents, cooks, nutritionists, trainer of the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company, and president of the School Feeding Council. In order to analyze the implementation of the National School Feeding Program in Viçosa, we evaluated the direct weighing of the food served in the schools using mechanical balances with a capacity of up to 10 kg and the perception of the social players involved in the implementation of the National School Feeding Program. The children were questioned about the acceptance of and adherence to the food offered, in addition to the habit of bringing food from home. Parents reported knowledge about the School Feeding Program and Council. The qualitative analysis consisted of content analysis and quantitative analysis using the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney test. We adopted the statistical significance of 5% for quantitative analysis.RESULTS Children reported low adherence to the school feeding program and most of them used to bring food from home. Irregularities were identified in the implementation of the National School Feeding Program, such as: inadequate number of nutritionists, suspension of Council meetings, inadequate infrastructure in the areas of preparation and distribution of meals, lack of training of cooks, lack of nutritional adequacy of the food offered, and lack of actions on food and nutritional education. The Program complied with the recommendations for purchasing food from family farms.CONCLUSIONS The National School Feeding Program presented many irregularities in Viçosa. It is important to monitor the problems identified for better reformulation and planning of the Program, in order to guarantee the food and nutritional security of the children served.

Os desafios da inserção formal de produtos da agricultura familiar no mercado

O mercado agroalimentar brasileiro é majoritariamente dominado pelas grandes empresas nacionais e multinacionais que criam barreiras à entrada de produtos advindos da agricultura familiar. Embora, no Brasil, tenha-se um conjunto de políticas públicas de apoio à comercialização da agricultura familiar, como o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) e o Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA), que reforçam a produção de alimentos, ao mesmo tempo existe um quadro regulatório restritivo, que exclui parte dos agricultores familiares do mercado. Mesmo assim, o País possui um vasto e diversificado mercado agroalimentar, que se mantém com base em um saber-fazer repassado de geração a geração, valorizado pelos consumidores que buscam produtos diferenciados e saudáveis. O reconhecimento de produtos artesanais não é garantia de facilidades de acesso ao mercado; ao contrário, a valorização aumenta as dificuldades devido às pressões no cumprimento da legislação. Nesse sentido, o presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar os desafios enfrentados pelos agricultores familiares para se inserirem formalmente no mercado sul catarinense. O procedimento metodológico adotado nesta pesquisa é a descrição, com base em fontes documentais e entrevistas realizadas com dirigentes de oito cooperativas de agricultores familiares da região sul catarinense. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que os agricultores têm acessado o mercado formalmente, por intermédio de suas cooperativas, além de produzirem para o autoconsumo e comercializarem seus produtos em mercados tradicionais, institucionais e, parte, informalmente, em domicílios e feiras.

CardNutri: Um software de planejamento de cardápios nutricionais semanais para alimentação escolar aplicando inteligência artificial

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar e avaliar um software que utiliza técnicas de Inteligência Artificial para elaborar, automaticamente e de forma rápida, cardápios nutricionais semanais para a Alimentação Escolar, atendendo às necessidades nutricionais diárias dos alunos e, simultaneamente, minimizando o custo total do cardápio. Esses cardápios satisfazem as referências nutricionais do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) de acordo com a faixa etária, variedade, harmonia das preparações e um valor máximo a ser pago por refeição. O tempo de resposta para essa elaboração não ultrapassa cinco minutos. Contudo, o nutricionista precisa escolher o cardápio que melhor lhe atende, pois a ferramenta fornece um conjunto de cardápios eficientes. Assim, o sistema contribui para a elaboração de cardápios nutritivos e baratos, além de facilitar o trabalho do nutricionista que despende de muito tempo para essa tarefa, uma vez que ele necessita de exercer outras funções de sua responsabilidade.

Background and elements of the linkage between the Brazilian school feeding program and family farming.

Since 2009, legislation of the National School Feeding Program of Brazil (PNAE) institutionalizes its linkage with family farming as it establishes the requirement that at least 30% out of the total financial resources allocated by the federal government to the states and municipalities for school feeding must be used in the purchase of products directly from this sector. This study analyzes the process of drafting this legislation, focusing on the elements related to the procurement from family farming, through a historical contextualization, and it also presents a graphical representation with the main elements of this linkage: its objectives, target population, actions implemented and expected results. Actors involved with the drafting of the legislation were interviewed. The analyses show that the procurement from family farming is a far-reaching initiative in terms of the concept, execution and results. It has also showed that a strong articulation between the actors and institutions of the different sectors involved is critical to its success. The education, agriculture, planning, procurement and civil society sectors should work articulately at national, state and local level. The results of this study demonstrate that initiatives like this, of institutional procurement from family farming, which are currently being implemented in several countries, constitute as an important strategy of food and nutrition security, for the fulfillment of the human right to adequate food and the promotion of long-term sustainable development.

Factors associated with adherence to school meals by adolescents in State public schools in Colombo, Paraná State, Brazil

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adherence to school meals and associated factors among adolescent schoolchildren (N = 1,569). The adolescents completed an on-line questionnaire on adherence to school meals, and their parents answered another questionnaire on socioeconomic data. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between adherence to school meals and gender, nutritional status, per capita family income, maternal schooling, adolescents' opinions on the dining hall layout, whether they considered school meals healthy, and consumption of other foods. Variables with statistical significance for adherence to school meals were included in the multilevel proportional odds logistic regression model. The covariates for comprising the final model were defined by backward selection methods. The results of the adjusted model were presented as odds ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Prevalence of adherence to school meals was low, especially effective adherence (19.8%). Adherence was associated with per capita family income less than one minimum wage, lower consumption of foods outside of school meals, the fact that adolescents considered the dining hall space adequate, and believing that school meals are healthy. Adherence to school meals in this study falls short of universal coverage for the program. Different factors contribute to incomplete program implementation, which may hinder achieving the food and nutritional security policy under the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE).

Food losses and waste: how Brazil is facing this global challenge?

ABSTRACT By 2017, Brazil seems to have finally awakened to the problem of food loss and waste. In this article, we resume the topic started in the article “Postharvest losses of perishables in Brazil: what do we know so far?” published earlier this year, but now with an emphasis on food losses and waste (FLW). We divided this article into four sections: (a) search for scientific publications on postharvest losses (PHL) and food waste (FW) in Portuguese; (b) social classes and food consumption in Brazil and household food waste; (c) the national legal framework on FLW; and (d) current food security policies and civil society actions on FLW. Google Scholar searches yielded 46,100 records for FW and 16,100 for PHL, but only 37 and 19 records, respectively, when the searches were restricted to the title of the papers. There is a clear division of subjects: PHL is more related to Agriculture and Economy and FW to Health, Nutrition and the Environment, and reasons and consequences are discussed. Food consumption and waste in Brazil must take into account the great social heterogeneity and high income inequality, as well as some unexpected driving cultural reasons. About 30 bills related to food waste have been discussed in the Brazilian Congress since 1997, with a low expectation of approval in the short term. In the absence of a regulatory framework to reduce losses and facilitate the donation of food, society has found its own way of dealing with the problem. Some initiatives are presented here, along with some governmental food security policies which had positive impacts in reducing FLW, such as National School Feeding Program (PNAE), food banks and popular restaurants. Some international movements are also beginning to gain strength in Brazil, e.g., the purchase of fruits and vegetables outside of aesthetic standards, “SaveFood Brasil”, “Slow Food”, among others. These are all put in perspective.

Programa de Aquisição da Produção da Agricultura no Papa/DF: inovação gerencial e tecnológica em sistemas familiares, 2009-2016

Resumo: No Brasil, políticas públicas de segurança alimentar incluem o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE), o Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA) e o Programa de Aquisição da Produção da Agricultura do Distrito Federal (Papa-DF). Este trabalho analisou o impacto deste último (Papa/DF) sobre a adoção de práticas gerenciais e de tecnologias produtivas mais adequadas pelo grupo de agricultores familiares que participam desta política, pois estas inovações têm reconhecida relação com seu desempenho. A linha de base foi obtida em 2009, em uma pesquisa que analisou o perfil dos produtores de leite do DF. Em 2016, foram entrevistados produtores participantes do programa, aplicando-se questionário semelhante ao de 2009, visando identificar mudanças em gestão e em processos produtivos, entre 2009 e 2016. Os resultados indicam mudanças positivas em inovação gerencial (processos de planejamento e gestão) e tecnológica (adoção de tecnologias recomendadas) nestes sistemas e, ainda, em variáveis que podem influenciar tais resultados (características da produção e do produtor).