Products purchased from family farming for school meals in the cities of Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study aims to verify the adequacy profile of the cities of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in relation to the purchase of products of family farming by the Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE - National Program of School Meals).METHODS This is a quantitative descriptive study, with secondary data analysis (public calls-to-bid). The sample consisted of approximately 10% (n = 52) of the cities in the State, establishing a representation by mesoregion and size of the population. We have assessed the percentage of food purchased from family farming, as well as the type of product, requirements of frequency, delivery points, and presence of prices in 114 notices of public calls-to-bid, in 2013.RESULTS Of the cities analyzed, 71.2% (n = 37) reached 30% of food purchased from family farming. Most public calls-to-bid demanded both products of plant (90.4%; n = 103) and animal origin (79.8%; n = 91). Regarding the degree of processing, fresh products appeared in 92.1% (n = 105) of the public calls-to-bid. In relation to the delivery of products, centralized (49.1%; n = 56) and weekly deliveries (47.4%; n = 54) were the most described. Only 60% (n = 68) of the public calls-to-bid contained the price of products.CONCLUSIONS Most of the cities analyzed have fulfilled what is determined by the legislation of the PNAE. We have found in the public calls-to-bid a wide variety of food, both of plant and animal origin, and most of it is fresh. In relation to the delivery of the products, the centralized and weekly options prevailed.

Family farming and school meals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

“…the minimum supply of three portions of fruits and vegetables per week (200g/ student/week) in school meals (BRASIL, 2013) and, as a result, increased consumption of food items by students (BARONE et al, 2016;SCHNEIDER, 2010). In these groups, most of the municipalities acquired lettuce, cabbage and orange which corroborates with the findings published by FERIGOLLO et al (2017).…”

“…These results are possibly related to the level of organization of farmers and managers. FERIGOLLO et al (2017) analyzed public calls from a small number of municipalities in RS and reported that 71.2% of these municipalities achieved the minimum percentage required in 2013. In one study in which 7 publications on the subject were reviewed, it was concluded that participation of municipalities in this process is still poor and limited (PEDRAZA et al, 2018).…”

“…With respect to the replacement of products, it should be highlighted that there should be flexibility between the need for a product and the availability of delivery, and the dialogue between the parts involved should the basis of the negotiation (FERIGOLLO et al, 2017).…”

“…Despite the numerous economic, social and health benefits of this process (WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, 2013), it is known that Brazilian municipalities still face difficulties in complying with the legislation (FERIGOLLO et al, 2017). Few comprehensive, thorough studies have analyzed their implementation.…”

“…Considering that municipalities still deal with these problems even after a few years that the law that establishes a minimum percentage of purchase was published (BRASIL, 2009), the detailed characterization of this process is of extreme relevance. Studies that allows us to monitor law compliance is encouraged (BACCARIN et al, 2017;FERIGOLLO et al, 2017). Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the profile of the purchases of family farming products for school meals in municipalities located in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), south Brazil, in 2014.…”