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.

Between wealth and hunger: conditions for the promotion of food and nutritional security in the capital cities of Southern Brazil

“…However, the results of the research indicate that the capitals have not achieved satisfactory results regarding actions to provide access to food through structures capable of meeting the existing demands. Florianópolis stood out negatively regarding the Equipamentos Públicos de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (EPSAN, Public Infrastructure for Food and Nutrition Security), which are SISAN's operational structures aimed at the supply, distribution, and commercialization of meals or food [23]. Although Curitiba has a better evaluation than Florianópolis as to Equipamentos Públicos de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional, a study carried out in the capital of Paraná identified an irregular distribution of these equipments, prioritizing regions where income is higher, which shows a territorial segregation in the FNS strategies of this municipality [24].…”

Popular Restaurants as strategies to fight hunger and to promote Food and Nutrition Security: an integrative review of scientific publications in the period 2011-2021

“…Among the 35 studies analyzed, four of them stand out for using as a premise the conception of PR as equipment for promoting HRAF [7,38,52,53], understood as a political, collective and accessible space for all [57].…”

“…The study by Oliveira et al [7] investigated PR in the south of Brazil using an evaluative matrix that bases its parameters and value judgment on the regulations governing PR, as well as those that include PR in the PNSAN as an EPSAN. The researchers found satisfactory results in the sub-dimensions related to the structure of the PR as a Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição (Food and Nutrition Unity) mainly regarding the provision of adequate food and the administration of the equipment.…”

“…These initiatives have different levels of stability, and in some cases, they form part of the public policies agenda for social protection, while in other situations they occur on an ad hoc basis or with a welfarism characteristic and are non-aligned to other public policies. However, there are similarities between these international initiatives because they are characterized as a government response to social and economic inequalities and because they promote access to food through free or facilitated distribution of meals to socially vulnerable or hungry populations [4,[7][8][9]. Even so, when compared to international experiences, the Brazilian proposal has broader characteristics in the use of this equipment, mainly because it is consecrated as an FNS action, under the focus of carrying out the HRAF.…”

“…Even so, when compared to international experiences, the Brazilian proposal has broader characteristics in the use of this equipment, mainly because it is consecrated as an FNS action, under the focus of carrying out the HRAF. Institutional regulations and the literature on the subject report that the Brazilian PR have as their main objective the production and distribution of ready-to-eat, adequate and healthy meals, at affordable prices for the socially vulnerable population [4,7,8]. Still, they must act in the promotion of HRAF and FNS, using regional products and safe production procedures, with meals offered in appropriate and comfortable places, guaranteeing dignity to their users [4,7,8,[10][11][12].…”