Government-Subsidized Restaurants as promoters of the realization of the Human Right to Adequate Food: Proposal of an evaluation model

Abstract

Objective This article presents an evaluation model for Government-Subsidized Restaurants within the framework of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy. Methods This is an evaluation study. The Evaluation Matrix was elaborated from five stages: systematized revision for elaboration of the theoretical-logical model; immersion process; construction of the preliminary theoretical-logical model; consensus workshops, through the traditional committee technique; elaboration of the evaluation matrix proposal; and external consensus with specialists in the subject and in the implementation and management of Government-Subsidized Restaurants. Results The proposed matrix contemplates two dimensions: Political-Organizational, with the subdimensions: Management, Structure and Target Public; and Technical-Operational, with the sub-dimensions: Adequate Food, Food and Nutrition Education, and Extended Public Assistance. Twenty-four indicators and 29 measures were listed. Conclusion The findings point to the need for advances in evaluation methodologies that contemplate Food and Nutrition Security as the guiding principle of the actions performed by Government-Subsidized Restaurants. Thus, the evaluation matrix presented aims to contribute to the improvement of the GSR as a multifunctional tool, promoter of Food and Nutrition Security and the realization of the Human Right to Adequate Food within the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy.

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

“…In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the performance of GSR in southern Brazil using, as parameters, the guidelines and regulations in force and the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy [10,11]. The number of GSR was obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the 2015 Food and Nutrition Security Survey [9,13].…”

“…Detailed information on the development of the evaluation matrix is presented elsewhere [11]. Briefly, the matrix was elaborated in six stages: (1) systematic review of the literature; (2) immersion experience; (3) construction of the preliminary theoretical-logical model; (4) consensus workshops using the committee technique; (5) elaboration of the evaluation matrix; and (6) consensus with specialists in the field and in the implementation and management of GSR.…”

“…Among the advantages of immersion, the researchers highlight the possibility of comparing theoretical data with reality, as well as visualizing unexpected facts. From the immersion, it was possible to verify whether the theoretical-logical model and the evaluation matrix presented the appropriate similarity with the object of study [11].…”

“…The matrix contemplates two dimensions: Political/Organizational, with the subdimensions Management and Structure and Target Public; and Technical/Operational, comprising the subdimensions Adequate Food, Food and Nutrition Education, and Extended Public Assistance. Twenty-four indicators and 29 measures were listed [11]. Table 1 shows the dimensions, subdimensions, and indicators of the Government-Subsidized Restaurant Evaluation Matrix and their scoring criteria.…”

“…Because GSR are valuable tools for improving food and nutrition security indices [8], it is crucial to evaluate and monitor their quality and results for the population [11]. Few studies have evaluated GSR as strategies to promote food and nutrition security and the right to food, characterizing a research gap [11,12]. Data indicate that 22.6% of Brazilian households experienced some degree of food insecurity in 2014 [13].…”