Características dos programas de alimentação escolar do Brasil e de Portugal

Abstract

School feeding programs in developed and developing countries were created to provide meals during the time the child is at school. Brazil and Portugal have programs to promote healthy eating to improve health and learning of children and other students. This study aimed to emphasize the main features of the programs implemented in both countries, due to their great social importance, providing suggestions based on their differences and weaknesses. The National School Feeding Program exists in Brazil since 1955. All public schools must offer school meals to students of basic education and must meet between 20% and 70% of the daily nutritional needs. Menus must be planned by a nutritionist, respecting local habits and food tradition. The amount of transfer to fund these programs is made by the federal government to municipalities. Portugal has the generalization of School Meals Program, since 2005, directed to students of the 1st cycle of basic education. It promotes widespread access of students to a balanced meal, which should provide 30-35% ofenergy intake. School Feeding Programs in Brazil and Portugal have great importance in meeting nutritional needs and food and nutrition education of students.