Proposal and applicability of a model to evaluate municipal management of the Brazilian National School Meal Program

This article presents a model to evaluate municipal management of the Brazilian National School Meal Program (NSMP) and verifies its applicability in the ten largest cities of the State of Santa Catarina. The model was constructed during workshops with experts and was adapted using the Delphi Method, with participation by 14 collaborators. The model addresses two dimensions of municipal management: the political-organizational dimension, organized in the sub-dimensions resources, inter-sector action, and social control, and the operational-technical dimension, which involves the sub-dimensions of nutritional and feeding efficacy, nutritional monitoring, and educational activities for healthy eating. A total of 22 indicators were defined, based on interviews with nutritionists in charge of the NSMP. As for the model’s applicability, the indicators appeared feasible with regard to addressing the municipality’s responsibilities in the program, and the model should be employed to improve NSMP management at the local level.