Objective This article presents an evaluation model for Government-Subsidized Restaurants within the framework of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy. Methods This is an evaluation study. The Evaluation Matrix was elaborated from five stages: systematized revision for elaboration of the theoretical-logical model; immersion process; construction of the preliminary theoretical-logical model; consensus workshops, through the traditional committee technique; elaboration of the evaluation matrix proposal; and external consensus with specialists in the subject and in the implementation and management of Government-Subsidized Restaurants. Results The proposed matrix contemplates two dimensions: Political-Organizational, with the subdimensions: Management, Structure and Target Public; and Technical-Operational, with the sub-dimensions: Adequate Food, Food and Nutrition Education, and Extended Public Assistance. Twenty-four indicators and 29 measures were listed. Conclusion The findings point to the need for advances in evaluation methodologies that contemplate Food and Nutrition Security as the guiding principle of the actions performed by Government-Subsidized Restaurants. Thus, the evaluation matrix presented aims to contribute to the improvement of the GSR as a multifunctional tool, promoter of Food and Nutrition Security and the realization of the Human Right to Adequate Food within the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy.

Objective To analyze the increase in the number of nutritionists and the aspects of the job market in the last decade. Methods Critical test based on literature review and official data provided by nutrition councils and other entities. Results There was an average yearly increase of 8,248 nutritionists in the period from 2010 to 2017, having the largest contingent of professionals concentrated in the Brazilian Southeast region. In 2017 there were 126,539 nutritionists registered in the country’s ten regional councils, practically twice as much as in 2009 (60,554 nutritionists). Even though the last nationwide research on the profile of nutritionists was performed in 2006, the production of local studies showed that more than half of the professionals voluntarily continued their education after graduating. In 2018 the Federal Council of Nutritionists updated the areas of work with details divided in subareas, segments and subsegments. Public spaces for food security, primary health care and sports nutrition are examples of new fields for the nutritionist. In the period of analysis there was an increase of 58.9% of the wage floor, however, still below the national average and other health professionals, and with longer working hours. The current wage floor for nutritionists is R$2,558.05. Conclusion In addition to the increase in the number of professionals, there were adjustments in specific labor legislation, as well as geographical repositioning, diversification and expansion of the job market. It is necessary to move ahead, mainly in what concerns a more extended and holistic understanding of the profession.

Objective To identify potentialities and limitations for the execution of a State Plan for Food and Nutrition Security. Methods This is a qualitative research, using as a case the State Plan of Food and Nutrition Security of the state of Santa Catarina. The data were collected from an interview with eight key informants nominated by the executive secretaries of the Food and Nutrition Security Council and the Inter-Sectoral Food and the state Nutrition Security Board. The analysis took place through the Collective Subject Discourse method. Results The main potentialities were the quality of the plan and the structuring of the National System of Food and Nutrition Security in the state. The main limitations were related to the financial resources, to political interests and to the structure of the Management Chamber. Conclusion It is hoped that this study may support strategies that strengthen potentialities and minimize the limitations identified in the case studied, as well as in similar state contexts, contributing to the qualification of the Plans and consequent execution of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy.

Objective To identify and reflect about civil society’s initiatives to curb hunger in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods In order to identify society’s initiatives to fight hunger, two independent systematic searches were conducted in the Google® search engine using the following keywords: “covid civil society initiatives” and “hunger pandemic solidarity campaign”. Results Fourteen nationwide civil society-promoted initiatives were identified, that among their objectives aimed at fostering collective funding to purchase and distribute foods. Conclusion Brazilian society has been historically sensitive to the hunger problem and shows solidarity as a social value. Nevertheless, the State is legally bound to provide food, as a social right.

Objective The objective was to evaluate government-subsidized restaurants in southern Brazil according to current regulations and the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy. Methods An evaluation matrix was developed on the basis of a literature review, logic model, immersion in a government-subsidized restaurant, and workshops with experts in the field. The Government-Subsidized Restaurant Evaluation Matrix contemplates two dimensions: Political/Organizational, composed of the subdimensions Administration, Structure, and Target Groups; and Technical/Operational, composed of the subdimensions Meal Quality, Food and Nutrition Education, and Extended Social Support. Subdimensions comprised 24 indicators. Data were gathered through an online survey of the 35 government-subsidized restaurants operating in southern Brazil. Results Of the 35 government-subsidized restaurants in southern Brazil, 86% (n=30) participated in the study. Meal Quality and Administration received the highest score in 73% and 60% of government-subsidized restaurants, respectively, whereas Food and Nutrition Education and Extended Social Support received the lowest score in 47% and 40%, respectively. Conclusion Advances are needed in the understanding of government-subsidized restaurants as public facilities for ensuring food and nutrition security and the human right to adequate food.

Objective Evaluate the contribution of Popular Restaurants in promoting Food and Nutrition Security and fighting hunger. Methods This is an integrative review with searches performed in Scopus, Virtual Health Library, Directory of Open Access Journals, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The capture of studies was limited to the period from 2011 to 2021. The articles were categorized according to the focus of the evaluation carried out, conceptualization and thematic analysis procedures, and aggregated into five categories of analysis: 1) users’ profile; 2) food handlers; 3) leftovers, food loss and waste; 4) physical-functional structure; and 5) promotion of the human right to adequate food. Results 35 articles were included. There was a predominance of a quantitative approach and, among the focus of the studies, the most recurrent was related to the “users’ profile” (54%), followed by the categories: “food handlers” (14%), “Leftovers, food loss and waste” (14%), “promotion of the Human Right to Adequate Food” (12%), and “physical-functional structure (6%). 88.5% of the studies discuss the equipment in a sectored way, evaluating specific items of the equipment and/or the population served. Only four studies discussed Popular Restaurants as promoters of the Human Right to Adequate Food. Conclusion There was a scarcity of the analyzed literature, attesting to the existing gap in the role of Popular Restaurants in the promotion of Food and Nutrition Security. It is recommended to carry out evaluative studies that can contribute to the qualification and expansion of Popular Restaurants as instruments to promote the Human Right to Adequate Food and fight hunger.