Análise do consumo alimentar em Marechal Cândido Rondon/PR com foco em agricultura familiar, alimentos orgânicos e veganismo popular

Abstract

There is a lot of talk about sustainable production systems in relation to food, and one of the major actors in this process is the family farmer. Allied to this is popular veganism, a movement that opposes animal exploitation and tends to value the consumption of plant-based, seasonal, local, cheap foods purchased in short cycles. Therefore, an interconnection between veganism and the family farmer can be established as a possible sum of forces and then confronting environmental pollution, health problems generated by the consumption of pesticides and ultra-processed products, the valorization of the family farmer and end the reduction of animal exploitation. Therefore, with the aim of understanding whether the family farmer in Marechal Cândido Rondon/PR, as well as veganism and organic products are known and valued by local consumers, this research was carried out. For this, an online questionnaire was created using the Survio platform and sent to consumers who had the habit of buying their own food. Data analysis demonstrated that local consumers little value short cycles and food produced by family farmers, as they prefer to buy in supermarkets due to the convenience and variety. When asked about the consumption of organic products, many are concerned about their health and that is why they choose them, but complaints about the price of these foods and lack of knowledge about the harm that pesticides and animal-derived products can do to health are still factors that hinder consumption. of organics. As for veganism, the invisibility of the animal industry was evident, showing that the majority of the public was shocked when they came across photos and data about it. Still on veganism, it was noted that most consumers are aware that it is possible to be vegan and be healthy, however cultural factors and beliefs that there are “animals that are meant to be eaten” contribute to non-adherence to veganism. In relation to popular veganism, more research is needed to discover how engaged vegan consumers are in this aspect of the movement and whether they would truly be allies of family farmers. Finally, 80% of the public surveyed said they agreed that veganism should be discussed in schools, showing that there is room for the discussions presented in this research, which could, in some way, help expand the freedom of choice of inhabitants regarding the food they consume.