Purchase of food from family farming for school feeding: the situation in Rio Grande do Norte

ABSTRACT The objective was to characterize the scenario of acquisition of food from Family Farming (AF) for the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Norte. An evaluative research with an ecological design, using data from the Collaborating Center for School Food and Nutrition of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in 2017 and 2018. 31 municipalities were evaluated, analyzing the percentage of food purchases from AF for school meals, in addition to of the possible difficulties in this process, using variables related to governance and management, stability and availability of food. Of the evaluated municipalities, more than 50% purchased food from the AF in the previous year and confirmed the purchase in the current year. All reported using the centralized management model, 29% declared acquisition less than 30%, 9.7%, acquisition above 30%, and 61.3% were unable to inform. As for the main difficulties related to governance and management, intersectorial articulation and the public call notice were highlighted. Regarding food stability, the necessary hygienic-sanitary conditions were highlighted, and in relation to food availability, the purchase of organic food was shown to be a difficulty listed by 80.6% of the municipalities.