UN highlights Brazil's food procurement program

Criado em 16/10/13 14h47 e atualizado em 18/10/13 09h04
Por Stênio Ribeiro Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – The United Nations (UN) published a report on Tuesday (October 15) that highlights the increasing success of government-procured food produced by family farming in Brazil. The document was presented to mark the World Food Day, which is celebrated on the 16th of October, the paper focuses on Brazil's Food Procurement Program (PAA) and National School Meal Program (PNAE).

The study, titled “Structured Demand and Smallholder Farmers in Brazil: the Case of PAA and PNAE”, was conducted by the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) and Development Programme (UNDP).

According to the report, PAA and PNAE combined make one of the world's most comprehensive government food procurement initiatives. Besides ensuring income for farmers, these programs provide social protection networks that improve food and nutrition security and make healthy foods accessible to vulnerable social groups such as school children.

“Brazil's experience has been so successful that it sets a benchmark for other developing countries interested in introducing similar programs, especially when it comes to school meals. However, it still takes further research to look into the impact and prove the effectiveness of these programs,” said Daniel Balaban, director of the Center of Excellence Against Hunger, WFP.

The publication is a groundbreaking analysis on the impact of school meals and other forms of government procurement on suppliers, according to UNDP's representative in Brazil, Jorge Chediek. He believes the two Brazilian programs are “exemplary of how to combat hunger more effectively.”

The PAA program serves social programs at large, whereas PNAE aims specifically at public nurseries and schools from kindergarten to secondary school. He said that at least 30% of the budget for school meals should be used to procure produce from family farming. In 2010, when the program began, 48% of PNAE affiliates bought food from small farmers, growing to 67% last year.

Editors: David Oliveira / Nira Foster
Translator: Mayra Borges

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