Contribuição da legislação para a melhoria da alimentação escolar: aprimoramentos do conselho de alimentação escolar

Resumo (EN)

The school environment is a strategic setting for promoting healthy eating habits and providing nutrition education to students. Regular exposure to nutritious foods, combined with educational activities on the importance of a balanced diet, positively influences students' health and contributes to the development of healthy eating habits that can be maintained throughout life. In this context, the School Feeding Councils (Conselhos de Alimentação Escolar – CAEs) play a fundamental role as social oversight bodies within the National School Feeding Program (Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar – PNAE). Established in municipalities participating in the program, these councils are legally empowered to monitor, inspect, advise, report irregularities, and, when necessary, intervene with the authorities responsible for school feeding. This study was conducted through an exploratory and comparative literature review using a qualitative research approach. The findings indicate that strengthening the School Feeding Councils is essential to ensure transparency in the use of public resources, improve the nutritional quality of meals provided in schools, and enhance the effectiveness of school feeding policies. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for continuous investment in the training and capacity building of CAE members, as well as encouraging the active participation of the school community in the management, monitoring, and oversight of school feeding programs, thereby strengthening governance and contributing to the promotion of food and nutrition security within the school environment.