Sociobiodiversity in School Meals: the challenges and potentialities of a field in construction in the municipality of Mostardas-RS

Abstract

This work seeks to understand the challenges that permeate the ongoing process of inserting sociobiodiversity foods into school meals, in the municipality of Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, and to analyze the possible results of this movement in loco. Regarding the methodological course, due to the covid-19 pandemic context, interviews were carried out by phone call and/or by the WhatsApp© application with actors who were somehow involved with the process of inclusion of sociobiodiversity foods in the National School Feeding Program, such as nutritionists, the school community, local entities, family farmers, and researchers. Thus, a qualitative approach was used, both for the generation of empirical material and for data analysis. Regarding the results, challenges related to the production, consumption, and supply plan were identified. And yet, in the scope of public policies, obstacles related to access to certain federal programs, bureaucracy of processes, and lack of initiatives on the part of the local government were found. Regarding the possible developments of the movement in question, the participants expressed repercussions on health, food quality, the environment, and the local economy, which would positively impact Food and Nutrition Sovereignty and Security.