Conditions and constraints in the acquisition of the family farming products to School Feeding Program in Paraná state

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the difficulties and the factors that condition the purchase Family farming´s products for school feeding from the perspective of social actors in the Paraná municipalities. Therefore, qualitative research was used with semi-structured interviews with family farmers, managers, rural extension professionals, members of the School Feeding Council in eight municipalities, in different population sizes and different macro-regions regions. The data were evaluated by thematic categorization for further analysis of content. Hurdles such as production planning, bureaucracy, logistic, lack of communication, among others, were referenced differently by groups of municipalities and actors such as difficulties in legislative enforcement. In municipalities where there are more participation, dialogue and partnerships between managers, farmers, advisors and rural extension there is a better utilization of resources that programs offers and this engagement is more evident in small and very small municipalities. In this regard, it highlights the importance of public policy for the viability of markets for family farming, but this is only effective with the participation of social actors.