Araraquara wins Josué de Castro Award for food security program

Araraquara has won first place in the Josué de Castro Award, a distinction presented by the São Paulo State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply. The award recognizes research and programs that strengthen food and nutritional security within the state.

The winning initiative, titled “Rompendo Monotonias e Melhorando Vidas” (Breaking Monotonies and Improving Lives), was developed by the Municipal Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply. Since 2019, the program has utilized the Municipal Program of Agriculture of Social Interest (PMAIS) to connect family farming with vulnerable populations.

Through this policy, the municipality purchases fruits, vegetables, and honey directly from local producers. These goods are centralized at the Municipal Food Bank and distributed as 500 weekly food baskets through ten Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAS). Over its seven-year execution period, the program has invested more than R$ 4 million, acquired approximately 582 tons of fresh products, and integrated over 170 family farmers and two cooperatives.