Brazilian National School Food Program as a promoter of local, healthy and sustainable food systems: evaluating the financial implementation

Cien Saude Colet. 2018 Dec;23(12):4189-4197. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320182312.25582016.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the financial investment used for the procurement of food for the Brazilian National School Food Program (PNAE) in a city in the South of Brazil. The bidding process, the public calls and accountability reports of the PNAE were analyzed in the following variables: I) municipal financial complementation values; II) percentage of resources used to purchase foods from Family Farmer (FF), and Recommended, Restricted, Prohibited and others foods. The comparison of proportions was employed as a test to identify differences between investments. The municipal financial complementation was 65% of the total. The total amount used to purchase foods was distributed as follows: 65.5% for the Recommended, 27.9% for the Restricted, 6.5% for the Other and 0% for the Prohibited. The expenditure on Recommended foods was higher (p < 0.001) compared to the remaining groups. FF provided only Recommended foods, representing 12.1% of total (municipality and federal) expenditure and 29.5% of total federal funds. The direct purchase from FF contributed to the purchase of recommended foods. The municipal financial complementation was not geared to FA, which can compromise the potential of the school food program to promote healthy and sustainable food systems.

O objetivo foi analisar o investimento financeiro para a aquisição de alimentos destinados à alimentação escolar em um município no Sul do Brasil. As licitações, as chamadas públicas e a prestação de contas do PNAE foram analisadas por meio das variáveis: I) valores de complementação financeira do município; II) percentual de recursos destinado à compra de alimentos da Agricultura Familiar (AF) e aos alimentos Recomendados, Restritos, Proibidos e outros. Comparação de proporções foi o teste utilizado para identificar diferenças entre investimentos. A complementação financeira do município denotou 65% do total. O valor total empregado para a aquisição de alimentos foi: 65,5% Recomendados, 27,9% Restritos, 6,5% Outros e 0% Proibidos. Os gastos com alimentos Recomendados foram maiores (p < 0,001) do que com os demais grupos. A AF forneceu exclusivamente alimentos Recomendados, representando 12,1% do investimento total (municipal e federal) e 29,5% dos recursos federais. A compra direta da AF contribuiu para aquisição de alimentos Recomendados. A complementação financeira do município não foi direcionada à AF, podendo comprometer o potencial do programa de alimentação escolar na promoção de sistemas agroalimentares sustentáveis, saudáveis e locais.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Food / economics*
  • Food Services / economics*
  • Food Supply / economics*
  • Health Promotion / economics
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Humans
  • Schools*