Did you know that it is possible to combine healthy food in schools with strengthening the economy in the countryside? The Agroecological Cooperative for Life in the Southern Maranhense Cerrado (COOPEVIDA) is an example of this sustainable cycle by selling the production of its members, through the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), to municipal schools in São Raimundo das Mangabeiras (MA). There are around 18 varieties of family farming products, such as fruit pulp, beans, pumpkin, cassava, lettuce, watermelon and banana. Delicious! And all produced without the use of pesticides and respecting nature.
“This guarantees agroecological food for children, in addition to generating work and income, encouraging people to stay in the countryside and strengthening family farming,” says family farmer Marenice de Sousa. For fellow farmer Joaquim de Sousa, there is also an impact on the local economy: “we are now involved in both the social and economic spheres,” he says.
COOPEVIDA receives support from the independent fund for the promotion of Eco-social Productive Landscapes (PPP-ECOS), with financing from the Amazon Fund.
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Want to understand more about PNAE and the importance of family farming in schools? Check out the debate panel on the topic held by ISPN and partners within Terra Madre Brasil 2020, click here.