Sustentabilidade das compras públicas para a alimentação escolar em municípios da região imediata de Toledo - PR

Abstract

In recent years, concern about environmental sustainability in food production has gained greater notoriety. The inclusion of school meals plays a significant role for the State in promoting sustainable food consumption as habits, behaviors and preferences developed in childhood tend to be maintained in adulthood, establishing customs that are resistant to change. The objective of this work is to analyze the sustainability of public purchases for school meals in municipalities in the immediate region of Toledo – PR. This is a field, cross-sectional, quantitative study. The data were obtained through bidding notices and public calls for the purchase of food for school meals in the year 2022. Excel® 2019 and PSPP software were used for descriptive analysis of frequency and chi-square. As a result, most of the items purchased are fresh, conventionally produced and purchased from retailers/wholesalers located in the immediate region. The municipality of Terra Roxa purchases less processed, ultra-processed and red meat and purchases organic products, while the municipality of São Pedro do Iguaçu does not purchase any organic items. However, São Pedro do Iguaçu has a higher percentage of purchases from family farming. More attention is needed to public purchases for school meals that also address environmental issues.