Caracterização de ações para a saudabilidade e sustentabilidade da Alimentação Escolar: um piloto para o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar

Abstract

The productive systems that operate on the quantity, quality and access of food to the population directly affected the food standard. Maintaining these systems and eating habits can minimize the use of natural resources and, therefore, reduce environmental impacts. Working on sustainability within the scope of the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) is extremely important, since it is this program that allows the introduction of targeted, and consequently healthier, food in school meals. In this sense, the objective of this study was to characterize the performance of nutritionists in the PNAE regarding the dimensions of healthiness and sustainability in municipalities in Minas Gerais. This is an exploratory and quasi-experimental study, with pre- and post-intervention quantitative data collection (educational action), with nutritionists working in the PNAE. This project was approved by the National Research Ethics Committee (CONEP) under number 5.460.401 and CAAE: 53194421.0.0000.5142. The nutritionists indicated that they acted in a way to guarantee the healthiness and sustainability of school meals, however, they pointed out challenges for the accomplishment of the control of leftovers and rest of the food intake, the elaboration of the technical sheets, among others. With regard to the evaluation of the menus, when comparing the 2019 and 2022 menus, it can be noted that although the menus have undergone changes due to FNDE Resolution No. 6 of 2020 (BRASIL, 2020), the results found in 2019 were considered adequate. The results show that there are still many challenges faced by nutritionists in their work in school feeding and these challenges can become even greater with the insufficient number of technical staff. For this reason, it is necessary to implement continuous training/updating courses within the scope of the PNAE. Therefore, the results of this study serve as support for professionals involved with school feeding, helping in the planning and execution of actions that seek to ensure healthiness and sustainability within the scope of the PNAE.