Insegurança alimentar na educação básica: Especificidades do Programa Nacional de Alimentação escolar (PNAE) durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Abstract

The present work aimed to investigate the relationship between Food Insecurity in Basic Education and the National School Meal Program (PNAE) with the purpose of understanding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutrition of students in public schools. The objective was also to analyze the impacts of food insecurity on basic education, with the purpose of verifying the importance of school meals in basic education, in addition to understanding the relationship between school meals and the COVID-19 pandemic, and examining barriers and concerns related to school lunch. Thus, bibliographical research was used as a method for data collection, through the study raised in the theoretical framework on food insecurity in basic education and the particularities of the PNAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the data analysis reinforce the importance of offering students access to adequate school meals, encouraging the use of student meal kits. The pandemic highlighted the need for public policies to combat hunger. However, it is necessary to review school meals with food kits during the pandemic period with regard to universality, which is one of the principles of the PNAE. Finally, through the research carried out and the suggestions presented, it was possible to confirm that by better studying the relationship between food insecurity in basic education and the PNAE, it was prudent to use food kits during remote teaching, as long as it covered all students enrolled in public schools. As a result, the suspension of face-to-face classes resulted in the loss of this essential food support, exposing existing vulnerabilities in society. Regional and urban disparities are also highlighted, in addition to the need for investments in family farming, to ensure that people have access to healthy food. and nutritious foods with a focus on sustainability.