From farm to table: An exploratory study of the perception of family farmers on the impacts of cultivation, marketing, and practices of consumption of agroecological foods

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the meanings attributed by family farmers at the Feira Popular da Agricultura Familiar (FPAF) in Duque de Caxias to agroecological and organic food, as well as the importance of their activity and the expectation of stimulating consumption by the local population, contributing to its food security. Information was compiled on family farming at the national and state levels; public policies for the group; production and distribution of agroecological foods in Brazil. Participant observations were made at a popular street market and, subsequently, interviews were conducted with these farmers, containing questions about their work and marketing routine. Data were underwent content analysis, which resulted in four categories of meaning. They disclosed the perspective of farmers that consumption of agroecological food is still modest, compared to that of conventional food, given their higher price, logistical difficulties, and the insufficient scale of dissemination among local consumers. The study shows that family farmers attribute great value to their work and to the FPAF space, owing to the way they communicate their social identity. In addition, they recognize the importance of natural food in their own lives and in the lives of consumers. This fact suggests that marginalization of the class originates from the lack of government support and visibility to the public, given that producers have an advanced perception of their role as a potential agent for transforming eating habits and bringing consumers closer to the food chain.