Principais desafios para a boa execução do PNAE em municípios do Espírito Santo

Introduction: The Collaborating Center for School Feeding and Nutrition (CECANE) began its activities in Espírito Santo in 2022 through a work plan agreed upon between the Federal University of Espírito Santo and the National Fund for Educational Development. Among the planned actions, workshops were proposed to identify the challenges faced by executing entities in implementing purchases from Family Farming (AF) within the scope of the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and, consequently, to assist in directing solutions to the identified problems. Objective: Thus, this study aims to present an assessment of the main difficulties encountered in the proper execution of the PNAE in the state's municipalities. Methods: A total of 20 municipalities were selected. The assessment of challenges was conducted through online meetings and in-person workshops across different regions of the state. The main obstacles highlighted include the COVID-19 pandemic, operational issues related to purchasing and selling, factors inherent to public call notices, as well as others such as a reduced technical staff and the absence of organic product certification. Results: CECANE plays a crucial role in strengthening Family Farming by promoting the exchange between local agricultural production and school feeding, benefiting not only farmers but also students and, consequently, the community as a whole. By identifying the challenges in the execution of the PNAE in the state, CECANE can develop actions that facilitate training, experience-sharing among executing entities, rural farmers, and the School Feeding Council, improving the relationship between the various actors involved in the PNAE.