National School Feeding Programme (PNAE) and Sustainability: The Case of Marechal Cândido Rondon County

Abstract

This study contextualizes the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE) among other Brazilian public policies of family farming based on a sustainable development perspective. The case study is made up of two parts. On the first part the trajectory and the foundations of the policy are discussed, contextualized and analyzed from a theoretical view based on a literature research. The second part analyzes the practical implementation of the program and locally in the city of Marechal Cândido Rondon, in western Paraná state. The autonomy of the participants of the county program in 2013 is analyzed by an indicator of sustainability based on the logic of peasant agriculture. This case study was conducted through interviews of various actors involved in the municipality program between these farmers and local managers. Data were collected in the city hall in order to measure the progress and the scope of the program. Statistical analyzes were performed with the help of SPSS. PNAE interacts more with civil society after 1994 when the program is decentralized, but it's actually from 2009, with the obligatory application of at least 30% of resources to family farming products, which PNAE plays a developmental role in supporting sustainability. In the city, PNAE responds on average for 13% of farmers income. The program promotes agroecological production because 50% of the municipal organic producers benefit from municipal PNAE. In addition, the program promotes agroecological practices by including family farms subsistence products in school meals. The case study reveals different degrees of autonomy that vary with the amount of available family labor and the importance of agricultural activities on their incomes. The survey results also demonstrate the relevance of PNAE in promoting a more sustainable development.