Government-subsidized restaurants in Brazil: an evaluation within the framework of food and nutrition security

ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate government-subsidized restaurants in southern Brazil according to current regulations and the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy. Methods An evaluation matrix was developed on the basis of a literature review, logic model, immersion in a government-subsidized restaurant, and workshops with experts in the field. The Government-Subsidized Restaurant Evaluation Matrix contemplates two dimensions: Political/Organizational, composed of the subdimensions Administration, Structure, and Target Groups; and Technical/Operational, composed of the subdimensions Meal Quality, Food and Nutrition Education, and Extended Social Support. Subdimensions comprised 24 indicators. Data were gathered through an online survey of the 35 government-subsidized restaurants operating in southern Brazil. Results Of the 35 government-subsidized restaurants in southern Brazil, 86% (n=30) participated in the study. Meal Quality and Administration received the highest score in 73% and 60% of government-subsidized restaurants, respectively, whereas Food and Nutrition Education and Extended Social Support received the lowest score in 47% and 40%, respectively. Conclusion Advances are needed in the understanding of government-subsidized restaurants as public facilities for ensuring food and nutrition security and the human right to adequate food.

摘要
研究目的 本研究旨在依据现行法规及国家粮食与营养安全政策（National Food and Nutrition Security Policy），对巴西南部地区的政府补贴型餐饮机构（government-subsidized restaurants）开展评估。
研究方法 本研究基于文献综述、逻辑模型、深入政府补贴型餐饮机构的实地调研，以及与领域专家开展专题研讨，构建了一套评估矩阵。该政府补贴型餐饮机构评估矩阵包含两大维度：政治/组织维度，下设行政管理、机构架构、服务对象三个子维度；技术/运营维度，下设餐食质量、食品与营养教育、延伸社会支持三个子维度。各子维度共涵盖24项评估指标。研究通过线上问卷调查的方式，收集了巴西南部地区35家运营中的政府补贴型餐饮机构的相关数据。
研究结果 巴西南部地区的35家政府补贴型餐饮机构中，共有86%（n=30）参与了本次研究。其中，73%的受评机构在餐食质量维度得分最高，60%的受评机构在行政管理维度得分最高；而食品与营养教育与延伸社会支持维度得分最低，占比分别为47%与40%。
研究结论 未来仍需强化对政府补贴型餐饮机构作为保障粮食与营养安全、实现人类适足食物权的公共设施的认知。