Compra e venda de alimentos orgânicos para a alimentação escolar: dificuldades e estratégias de superação

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the difficulties in the process of buying/selling organic products from family farming for school meals in 21 municipalities in southern Brazil and to take actions to overcome them. Methods: This is a qualitative and quantitative study through semi-structured interviews with 111 key informants involved in school meals. The interviewees were asked about the difficulties of buying/selling organic food for school meals and about the actions developed and/or in planning to overcome these problems. Descriptive analysis of closed questions was performed based on frequency distribution and content analysis with coding and categorization of open questions. Results: Most municipalities (n = 19) did not buy organic food from family farming. The limited availability of the supplier market and the low production of organic foods were the most reported difficulties. On the other hand, the high costs of the products and the lack of interest by the public management in the acquisition of organic foods were difficulties little mentioned. Respondents highlighted that buying/selling could increase with the strengthening of participatory certification processes and if those involved had more information about the benefits and risks of productive models. Conclusions: The strengthening of technical assistance and rural extension, development of regulations and incentives for organic certification, support and investment for participatory certification, and technical guidelines were necessary strategies to encourage the production and consumption of organic human food.

Keywords

• alimentação escolar. alimentos orgânicos. agricultura orgânica. política pública.