ALIMENTAÇÃO ESCOLAR DURANTE A PANDEMIA DO COVID-19: ANÁLISE DOS CARDÁPIOS PLANEJADOS E DOS KITS OFERTADOS

Abstract

After the suspension of the school calendar, due to COVID-19, the National Fund for the Development of Education, authorized the distribution of foodstuffs purchased with resources from the National School Feeding Program to the parents of students of public schools in the form of "food kits". The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional quality of menus planned for early childhood education students in a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, with food kits offered in 2020. Cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study, based on research of secondary documentary data.  For analysis purposes, we selected the menu planned for the comprehensive daycare center in July, intended for children from 1 to 3 years old.  Nutritional quality was assessed using the parameters of Resolution No. 6 of May 2020 and the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, and for the analysis of nutritional composition the Table of Food Composition was used. The data showed that 23% of the food in the kits was utraprocessed, prohibited for children in early childhood education.  As for the planned menu, more than 46% were minimally processed foods and even though they did not reach the energy needs, for the age group, this exceeded the amounts of micronutrients recommended by the legislation.  The absence of fruits and vegetables compromised the kit.  It is concluded that the distribution of food kits, despite not contemplating a varied diet, such as that of the school menu, was able to serve many students and consequently their families.