title: The Brazilian school feeding programme: an example of an integrated programme in support of food and nutrition security.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present paper analyses the advances and challenges of the school feeding programme in Brazil (PNAE), as part of the Brazilian experience building up an integrated food and nutrition security national system. It explores the role of policy and regulatory frameworks in constructing quality service delivery and intersectoral integration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of PNAE and federal government technical documents and studies, legislation, minutes of meetings and official documents of the National Council of Food and Nutrition Security from 2003 to 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Food insecurity has decreased significantly in Brazil in the last decade, indicating that appropriate choices were made in terms of public policies and institutional arrangements, which other countries can learn from.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brazil food and nutrition security system; school feeding; school food.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Brazil's integrated food and nutrition security policy approach promoted intersectorality in the food system, articulating actions to guarantee access to healthy food and to strengthen family farming. The quality of school meals has progressively improved; in particular, the availability of fruits and vegetables increased. However, national standards regarding menu composition have not yet been met. Regulations were an important factor, along with the policy approach linking food production, nutrition, health and education. Challenges are related to conflict of interests and to farmers' insufficient capacity to meet supply requirements and comply with technical procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local food production, school meals and nutrition education can be linked through integrated programmes and policies, improving access to healthier foods. Government leadership, strong legislation, civil society participation and intersectoral decision making are determinant.
authors.affiliation: Policy and Strategy Division, World Food Programme, Via Cesare Giulo Viola 68/70, Parco de Medici, 00148 Rome, Italy. emilie.sidaner@wfp.org
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sidaner
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balaban
authors.forename: Luciene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burlandy
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D005523:Food Supply; D033161:Government Regulation; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D062407:Meals; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011634:Public Health; D012574:Schools