Índice de Qualidade para Cardápios da Alimentação Escolar Saudável e Sustentável (IQCAES²): a multidimensional evaluation platform for Brazil's national school feeding program

Abstract

The project aims to develop the Índice de Qualidade para Cardápios da Alimentação Escolar Saudável e Sustentável (IQCAES²), a multidisciplinary sustainability indicator on school feeding program in Brazil.

Description

Building on IQCAE (2020), a validated indicator easy access and simple application that evaluates menus’ nutritional parameters defined by the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), IQCAES² aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation platform of school feeding programmes, to integrate environmental and societal sustainability considerations when assessing school menus. The project has two functions: 1) create sound evidence on best practices; and 2) address the translational problems in research by engaging with a wider range of actors. The indicator will help define actions aimed at guaranteeing food and nutritional security for the population served by PNAE and for planetary health. The pilot sets the ground for future developments of IQCAES², to include a wider range of sustainability dimensions, and conducting cross-country evaluation.