Gestão na participação de agricultores familiares no programa nacional de alimentação escolar

Abstract

The National School Feeding Program (PNAE) is a public policy that serves all students enrolled in the school system by providing healthy meals. Its purpose is to promote family farming by creating opportunities for transformation in school nutrition. This is achieved by ensuring access to healthy, regionally sourced food, strengthening sustainable public procurement, developing the local agribusiness sector, generating employment and income, and valuing rural workers. This study aimed to analyze the supply of plant-based food products from family farming in Tarumã/SP and provide training to increase participation in the PNAE. A semi-structured questionnaire-based interview was conducted with agricultural producers to identify the challenges of joining the program. Subsequently, on-site training was developed. The mapping of plant-based food supply from family farming in Tarumã/SP for the PNAE provided important insights into the main issues faced by family farmers, as well as a qualitative and quantitative analysis of production. Local farmers reported several barriers, including a lack of knowledge about PNAE guidelines, insufficient technical agricultural guidance, difficulties in obtaining the necessary documentation for participating in the public call process, challenges in ensuring a regular food supply, not being invited to participate in the public call, and low food prices during negotiations. The training was conducted in two stages, in person, during evening hours, with the participation of municipal public administration representatives. The topics covered included Law No. 14,947/2009 and the importance of family farming within the PNAE, a step-by-step guide for farmers to participate in the public call, and information on federal government financial resources allocated for purchasing family farming products in Tarumã. After the training, a public call was held, and data collected before and after the training were evaluated. As a result, greater farmer participation was observed, along with a broader variety of products, benefiting students in the municipality's public school system. The findings provide important parameters for implementing public policies that encourage increased farmer participation in the program, enhance the supply of food in both quantity and quality, and ensure the consistent delivery of products. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of fostering the organization of the sector through associations or cooperatives in collaboration with the municipality. This approach aims to improve program performance and expand the supply of food to other municipalities in the region. Although the presented data are still preliminary, expanding this study is recommended to strengthen the long-term development of family farming and promote food security for both producers and consumers.