National School Nutrition Program Research Articles

A training framework for food handlers in the national school nutrition programme in Gauteng province

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa spearheads the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP), which is a holistic endeavour geared towards offering nourishing meals to students enrolled in public schools situated within financially disadvantaged neighborhoods. The selective responsive cluster training framework (SRCTF) aims to enhance skills development and competencies of food handlers, considering professional and ethical aspects. The key output of the NSNP is dependent on the skills competency levels of food handlers. The aim of the study was to develop a SRCTF for the NSNP for food handlers in Gauteng Province. Using mixed methods in the form of a convergent parallel design, the study includes structured questionnaires administered to NSNP food handlers, nutrition teacher coordinators, and school principals. The study identified both professional and ethical competencies as crucial factors for training through varimax rotation of a Likert scale questionnaire with 30 questions. The findings of this study highlight the lack of comprehensive training among NSNP food handlers in Gauteng Province, which is a common issue across South Africa and other countries. Pearson Chi-Square for independence confirms a significant relationship between training and skills competence levels among food handlers. For all food preparation competencies, the p-values were 0.000, indicating a significant relationship between training (independent variable) and competence levels (dependent variable). In response, a Selective Responsive Cluster Training Framework (SRCTF) is proposed specifically for NSNP food handlers in Gauteng Province. The two main competencies of the SRCTF will be the professional and ethical competencies. The main custodian of the NSNP is the DBE which should create a conducive environment for the training of food handlers within the identified clusters. Implementation of this framework would improve the overall performance and effectiveness of the NSNP. The food handlers training could lead to standard setting and certification of the NSNP food handlers on training. Key words: Training framework, Nutrition, Food handler, Competences, Skills development

The covid-19 pandemic reflection on the National School Nutrition Program execution (PNAE)

Resumo: O artigo objetivou descrever a execução do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) durante a pandemia da covid-19 com base em estudos publicados no período de 2020 a 2023 através de uma revisão integrativa. Naquele momento, a PNAE foi relevante, assumindo a garantia da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) dos alunos beneficiários e apontou para a necessidade de um maior investimento por parte do governo federal brasileiro.

Perceptions of School Management on the Relationship between School Nutrition and Development of Non-Communicable Diseases in a Rural South African District: A Qualitative Study.

Globally, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 41 million deaths in 2016, with the majority of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. These diseases are on the rise as a result of unhealthy, low-quality, and unbalanced diets, which have resulted in overweight and obesity. The National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) was created to regulate the foods sold to schoolchildren. The aim of this study was to ascertain school management teams’ perspectives on the relationship between the NSNP and the development of lifestyle diseases. A phenomenological qualitative study using focus group discussions among 16 purposively selected members of the school management teams were conducted in Mt Frere, Eastern Cape in 2016. The narrative data were analyzed using Tesch’s eight-phase thematic analysis approach. The data analysis revealed two themes (NSNP and the vendor system) and six sub-themes. The NSNP was viewed as making a significant contribution to children’s food security, thereby improving academic output. However, reengineering of the NSNP was needed through improved budgeting and inclusion of breakfast in the menu to control NCDs risk factors. The current implementation of the vendor system did not support reduction of NCDs risk factors. Improved implementation of the guide to the vendor system is needed.

Salt Used for the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) in Rural Schools of Limpopo Province, South Africa, has Adequate Levels of Iodine.

Background Salt iodisation is considered the most effective long-term public health intervention for achieving optimal iodine nutrition. Effective salt iodisation is a prerequisite for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. The aim of this study was to determine iodine concentration of salt used for the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 359 food handlers from Vhembe and Mopani districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The questionnaire was administered to solicit data on demographic information, general questions on salt fortification, and iodine nutrition knowledge. After the interviews, two tablespoons of salt used for the NSNP food preparation was collected from 318 schools in small zip-lock plastic bags. The salt samples were coded and stored at room temperature and protected from light and moisture until the time of analysis. Salt iodine concentrations were determined at the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom by means of the iCheck test method. Results The median iodine concentration of both Mopani (31.65 ppm) and Vhembe (32.56 ppm) districts signified adequate iodine levels. Of 318 salt samples, 113 (71%) samples in Mopani and 104 (65%) in Vhembe had an iodine concentration of 15–64 ppm. A few (6%) food handlers in Mopani and almost half (45.9%) in Vhembe could correctly identify iodated salt as the main source of iodine. Almost half of the food handlers (%) in Mopani and 36.5% in Vhembe did not know which part of body needs iodine for functioning. Conclusion More than 20 years after the implementation of the USI program, the result of the study shows that the international goal of 90% coverage is still far from being realised.

Snack Development for School Feeding Programs in Africa: A Scoping Review.

The benefits of school feeding have been well documented. As such, school feeding programs have continuously gained popularity in developing countries. However, challenges and potential opportunities persist, calling for a review of school feeding for long-term sustainability. South Africa has an opportunity to improve their National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) by including an energy-dense snack that would increase the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of school children to meet at least 25% of their energy requirements. The objective of this scoping review was to conduct a review and an appraisal of studies on snack food development for school feeding programs in Africa. Eligible studies had to report snack development for school feeding programs in Africa. We conducted an electronic search in National Research Foundation (NRF) NEXUS, Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO), International Food Information Service (IFIS), Nutrition and Food Sciences Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI.ORG), and Google Scholar. Of the 429 articles identified, nine studies were included in the final review—five from within South Africa and four from elsewhere in Africa. Data extracted included the study design, intervention, outcomes, relevant findings, and limitations. Results were presented in a narrative summary. The review findings showed that energy-rich staple foods and food fortification were commonly used in snack development. The popular snack products developed included porridges and biscuits. While most studies reported nutritional outcomes, few studies reported on sensory acceptability tests and only two studies conducted a cost analysis. This review of previous snack development initiatives for school feeding programs in Africa underscores the importance of establishing the sustainability of any food product developed. The findings of this review have the potential to inform future snack product development for school feeding programs.

P2 Alphabet Soup - One School's Effort to Reduce Food Waste

Objective To determine the amount of food saved within two food waste reduction programs at an elementary school. Use of Theory or Research Food waste has many contributors: individuals, industry, grocery stores, restaurants and schools. A 2018, USDA study estimated the average person wastes 300 pounds of food a year in the US alone, equating to 150,000 tons of food, enough to feed two billion people. Schools waste 270,000 metric tons of food annually. Changes to the National School Nutrition Program has brought more fruits and vegetables into schools making it imperative to manage the waste from preparation and leftovers. Target Audience Food Service Managers Program Description A rural Ohio community of 7,212 people with a school district feeding 720 students daily in grades kindergarten through 12th grade with a 25% participation rate in free and reduced lunch. The kitchen, providing lunch for three school buildings, currently runs two food waste programs. Program one focuses on food scraps given to a local pig farmer; waste that cannot be served including the ends of vegetables and fruits. Program two focuses on leftover vegetables and grains from the school lunch service. Leftovers collected over the week are made into a vegetable soup that is served with the lunch on Fridays. The soup is offered to students and members of the school community including teachers, staff and visitors at no cost. Evaluation Methods Leftover vegetables and grains were collected and weight recorded daily for four school days for the vegetable soup. Food scraps were collected and weighed daily for five school days. Amounts were totaled. Results Food waste collection yielded 221.5 pounds or an average of 55.4 pounds a day of leftover vegetables and grains used in the vegetable soup. Food scraps program provided a total of 90.2 pounds or 18 pounds of feed daily for local pigs. Conclusions Food scraps and food saving programs work to reduce food waste. Utilizing leftover food may be a way to turn food waste back into edible food for people and/or animals. School kitchen was able to save over 250 pounds of food from the trash in one week. Funding None.

English

Populations around the world, especially in developed countries, have adopted a more conscious food consumption than that practiced conventionally, in their search for a better quality of life. In this scenario of concern about food, the organic products market is highlighted in the face of the high consumption of food produced with agrochemicals and agricultural inputs. In the last few years, there has been a significant market growth, moving 91.2 billion dollars. The present paper aimed to identify several organic production support programs, especially the Brazilian Food Acquisition Program (PAA). To this end, we used theoretical references about the theme, prioritizing the consultation of scientific articles and data from FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture). Results help understanding the increase in consumption, and they are associated with public policies that have been present in different parts of the world, more significantly in Europe and USA. However, it is necessary to note that support programs for the sector must be flexible and adapt to local capacities. It is worth emphasizing the importance of organic production units in Brazil, which have consistently increased the country’s production, with direct support from PAA, and benefiting from the use of local family farming products in the National School Nutrition Program (PNAE). Key words: Global organic market, support policies, organics in Brazil. &nbsp

Public policies of food and nutrition in Brazil: From Lula to Temer

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze public policies on food and nutrition in Brazil, with emphasis on the last fifteen years (2003-2018). Methods Historical-documentary analysis based on a bibliographical survey on indexed bases and exploratory visits to websites of government agencies. Results The scientific and governmental findings were organized according to the Lula, Dilma and Temer governments. They explore the development of several public policies and welfare programs in food and nutrition, focusing mainly on Brazilian Hunger Eradication Program, Assistance for Needy Families Program, National Policy on Food and Nutrition Security, Food Acquisition Program, National School Nutrition Program, National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, National Food and Nutrition Surveillance System and Brazilian Misery Eradication Program. The centrality of the idea of the fight against hunger and misery in public policies during Lula’s first and second terms and Dilma’s first term stand out. Dilma’s second term is marked by the focus on healthy eating, as well as presenting the first signs of fragilization of public policies on food and nutrition. Currently, the Temer government is characterized by processes of institutional and programmatic rupture, budget cuts and setbacks in acquired rights. There is evidence of the need to activate national and international instruments to enforce the human right to adequate food and consequent strengthening of public policies on food and nutrition. Conclusion This period presents an expansion and qualification of public policies on food and nutrition, mainly in the Lula and Dilma administration, with setbacks in the Temer administration, in which continuous budget cuts weaken social, hunger reduction, poverty reduction and food and nutrition security policies.

Perceptions of Educator-coordinators about the Administration of the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) in South African Primary Schools

Perceptions of Educator-coordinators about the Administration of the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) in South African Primary Schools

Conselhos de Alimentação Escolar em Santa Catarina, Brasil: uma análise do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo

OBJETIVO: Identificar no discurso dos conselheiros de alimentação escolar a compreensão sobre as funções, os limites e os avanços da atuação dos Conselhos de Alimentação Escolar. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo que utilizou entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado baseadas na técnica de Grupos Focais em nove Conselhos de Alimentação Escolar do estado de Santa Catarina, sendo oito conselhos municipais e um estadual. As falas dos conselheiros foram gravadas, posteriormente transcritas e analisadas a partir do método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. RESULTADOS: Foram construídos cinco discursos, agrupados segundo as ideias centrais emergentes. Destacam-se os avanços conquistados pela atuação dos Conselhos de Alimentação Escolar e a capacidade limitada de intervenção na gestão da alimentação escolar. Os achados corroboram a literatura no que se refere ao excesso de burocracia para atuação dos conselhos, à compreensão dos conselheiros sobre os espaços democráticos institucionalizados como de controle social e à falta de comprometimento e representatividade dos membros envolvidos. CONCLUSÃO: Entre os temas analisados, ressaltam-se a compreensão do papel de fiscalização do Conselho de Alimentação Escolar, o conceito de controle social que envolve a participação no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, e a compreensão desse programa como uma política de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional. Verifica-se a necessidade de continuidade da formação e qualificação de conselheiros e de estímulo à participação democrática que vise a uma maior representação social. Dessa forma, contribui-se para o resgate da capacidade dos conselhos de intervirem na execução da política pública.

PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE ALIMENTAÇÃO ESCOLAR NO MUNICÍPIO DE ARARAQUARA-SP:efetividades, entraves e diferenciações entre unidades escolares

Este trabalho avalia a efetividade social, os entraves e as diferenciações do Programa Nacional de AlimentaçãoEscolar (PNAE) sob o olhar dos eixos da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) no município de Araraquara-SP.Considera que o alimento oferecido pelo PNAE não tem efetividade, quando não são consideradas diferenciações delocalização dos estabelecimentos educacionais, bem como não são respeitadas as desigualdades culturais, sociais eeconômicas dos beneficiários e oferece subsídios à reflexão crítica da ação permitindo diagnósticos dirigidos à reformulaçãoe planejamento do programa local.Palavras-chave: Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE); Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN); efetividade social e entravesNATIONAL SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF ARARAQUARA-SP: effictivities, barriers and distinctionsbetween school unitsAbstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of social barriers and distinctions of the National School Nutrition Program(PNAE) under gaze axes Food Safety and Nutrition (SAN) in the city of Araraquara-SP. It considers that the food offered byPNAE has no effectiveness when location of educational establishments differences are not considered, as well as theinequalities are not respected such as cultural, social and economic beneficiaries, and offers subsidies to critical reflection of action that allow diagnosis and planning in reshaping the local program.Keywords: National School Nutrition Program (PNAE), Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), effectiveness and social barriers.

Análise da incorporação da perspectiva do direito humano à alimentação adequada no desenho institucional do programa nacional de alimentação escolar

Being a signatory to international agreements that recognize the Human Right to Adequate Food (HRAF) and having enshrined this right into its Constitution, the Brazilian state imposes a duty to provide, protect and promote the HRAF. For this it is necessary to incorporate the principles of the HRAF into the process of planning and executing the actions of Food and Nutrition Security (FNS). The objective was to analyze the process of mainstreaming of the HRAF in the new institutional design of the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP). This is in line with the principles laid down in General Comment No 12 of the Guide for Policy Analysis and Public Programs and nutritional Food Security under the Perspective of Human Rights and the Organic Law on Food and Nutrition Security (OLFNS). The results show that the new regulatory framework of the NSNP indicates a paradigm shift that is characterized by a gradual decline in the perception of NSNP as policy of a welfare nature. Concomitantly, there is an increase in the concept of the benefit of school food as a right, with the caveat that the construction of a new regulatory framework, although essential, is not sufficient for full implementation of the HRAF.

Avaliação de políticas públicas de segurança alimentar e combate à fome no período 1995-2002: 4 - Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar

This study evaluated the Brazilian National School Nutrition Program from a structure-process-results perspective. The methodology involved document research and a case study in 45 counties and 73 schools in the State of Bahia, including program manager interviews and household questionnaires involving 3,367 children (7-14 years of age). Relating to program structure, the study analyzed the evolution of normative instruments and some infrastructure aspects. Managers reported problems with the installations for preparing and distributing meals in 28% of the counties. Decentralization to the county (municipal) level was present in 93% of cases and to the school level in about 20%; however, nearly 70% of the schools received the food supplies directly. Although Social Control Councils were created, members were not always chosen democratically. Acceptability of the meals was good, as expected considering the widespread poverty in the target population. Overall program coverage was high (95%), but 77% of schoolchildren in the interior and 39% in the capital city did not receive meals every day. So far, irregular school meal distribution has frustrated the program's aspirations to become a universal social policy and ensure a basic right for children.