Municipal management of the National School Meal Program in the capitals of Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the municipal management of the Brazilian School Food Program in the three capitals of Southern Brazil.

METHODS:

This is an evaluative multiple-case study. The model addresses two dimensions of municipal management: the political-organizational dimension (inter-sector action) and the operational-technical dimension (responsibilities of management specific to the school environment). A total of 22 indicators were collected through interviews with program dietitians.

RESULTS:

Two cases were considered regular and one, bad. Florianópolis, Santa Catarina stands out in financial management and stimulus to regional development. Curitiba, Paraná stands out in the professional qualification, observance of specific nutritional needs, and availability of anthropometric data. Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul stands out in the appropriateness of the food production team and good execution of the menus.

CONCLUSION:

Although the results were less satisfactory than expected, they may encourage improvements in program management, emphasizing the importance of evaluation as a legitimate tool for service qualification.

School feeding; Program evaluation; Nutrition programs and policies; Food and Nutrition security