Alimentação escolar: a realidade da política pública em prol da agricultura familiar no Pontal do Paranapanema

Abstract

Being considered the oldest Food and Nourishment Public Policy in Brazil, the National Program of School Nutrition (PNAE) is officially integrated into the Family Agriculture (AF) with the publication of Law n° 11,947/2009, which determines the minimum application of 30% of the transferred resources with the acquisition of food grown by AF giving priority to local suppliers. Various studies show advancements within the rural field and improvement in the quality of meals served due to the implementation of measures in the law, however the application of the rule shows results lower than the one required for the purchase of AF foodstuffs by PNAE in Brazil. This study tried to understand how the PNAE implementation takes place to meet the AF purchase percentage required by the rule within Pontal do Paranapanema area, comprised by 32 counties and located in the farthest São Paulo state southwest. Being a qualitative-quantitative study, it made use of data collected from official website of the National Fund for School Development (FNDE) related to the accountability of 2017, which show the purchase percentage carried out by AF in the area; one also held consultation on the website of Agribusiness Development Coordination (CODEAGRO),agency linked to the Department of Agriculture and Supplies of São Paulo State, by means of which one managed to access data of Request for Tenders carried out in the area from 2017 to2018, as well as details of competency certificates presented to Pronaf DAPs). The results showed AF low purchase percentage in the area, only 22 % of the counties managed to surpass the minimum 30% while 53% presented amounts lower than the required ones and 25% did not report any application in that purchase modality for PNAE. One concluded that, within Pontal do Paranapanema area, the fact of not meeting the minimum purchase quota of AF carried out by PNAE reflects on the loss of capacity provided by PNAE as a public policy meant for furthering the regional development, besides the suggestive fresh-cut food supply reduction which might be included in school meals, improving healthy eating habits and fostering the principle of Food and Nutrition Security in the program