Food security and nutrition initiatives across Brazil and Portugal

Various regions in Brazil and Portugal are implementing diverse initiatives to promote food security, nutrition, and healthy eating habits. In Brazil, several municipal and state governments are focusing on school nutrition. Cities such as Carauari, Itabuna, and Salvador are utilizing the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) to provide balanced meals, often integrating products from family farming to support local economies and regional culture. In Votuporanga and Rondonópolis, special themed meals like “Lasanha Day” are used to engage students and encourage healthy eating habits.

Social welfare efforts are also expanding in Brazil. The Bahia Sem Fome program recently inaugurated a community kitchen in Andaraí, providing 200 daily meals to vulnerable populations. In Brasília, the Banquetaço collective distributed one ton of food to advocate for food sovereignty and permanent public policies to combat hunger.

In Portugal, educational institutions are hosting dedicated weeks for healthy eating. Schools in Lousã and the Agrupamento de Escolas in Boavista organized activities such as food fairs, educational games, and fruit tastings to sensitize students to nutrition. Additionally, the municipality of Braga held a Sustainable Food Week, featuring workshops on local ingredients like acorns and food literacy training for educators, attracting hundreds of participants.