Rio Olympics to leave healthy eating legacy

School meals in state and local public schools in Rio de Janeiro will be made from organic and agroecological family farming products, as part of a campaign called Brasil Orgânico e Sustentável (Organic and Sustainable Brazil) in the run-up to the Rio 2016 Olympics. The purpose is to encourage healthy eating among students.

The National Secretary for Food and Nutritional Security of the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger, Arnoldo de Campos, explained the state and the local governments surveyed existing producers and are now preparing the supplier selection phase. They are planning to expand the project to schools in other cities across the state and retain the healthy menu as a legacy of the Olympics.

“There's no reason to stop sourcing [the produce used in school meals] from family farming. It's a lesson learned for the state that can set a benchmark for Brazil,” the secretary pointed out. He said the campaign will be launched on October 5 and includes other initiatives. Among the agencies involved in promoting healthy eating are the ministries of Agrarian Development, Health, and Tourism; the city of Rio de Janeiro; the National Agricultural Society; the Maniva Institute; the National Cancer Institute (INCA); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); the German Cooperation Agency; and the Institute for Consumer Protection.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will take place from August 5 to 21 next year. During this period, five kiosks will be operating at strategic places around the city, called Praças Brasil Orgânico e Sustentável (Organic and Sustainable Brazil Markets) to directly sell products from smallholder farming and provide a lounge area. In these markets, producers can find adequate structure and work with chefs on a range of meals to show to the public.

“In the Olympics, we want to show that Brazil is stunningly wealthy in foods with high cultural and natural value. Our biomes make this possible. This gastronomic cultural mix can be found there [at the kiosks] – from cashew nuts to bahia flour to Minas Gerais canastra cheese to Piauí honey to South Brazil salami and pine nuts – to give tourists a taste of Brazil's flavors,” the secretary said.

The kiosks date back to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when the host cities set up points of sale for smallholder farming produce. The Ministry of Tourism estimates that Rio should welcome some 350 visitors during the Olympics.

Translated by Mayra Borges