Abstract
Background
Food banks receive foodstuffs that are non-standard, but suitable for human consumption without any health restrictions.
Objective
To verify the perception of the institutions benefited by the Itapecerica da Serra Food Bank about food and nutrition security.
Method
Qualitative study conducted with 12 institutions registered at the Food Bank using recorded with semi-structured interviews.
Results
The participating institutions assisted approximately 2140 socially vulnerable people. Seven of these institutions distributed the donated food, four use the donated food in the preparation of meals, and only one performed both activities. Five themes were extracted from the data obtained: food and nutrition security, contribution to the institution, social vulnerability, lack of registration, and food monotony.
Conclusion
The heads of the institutions benefited by the Food Bank presented a perception of food and nutrition security based on access to food by the families assisted. This partially meets the concept of food and nutrition security adopted in Brazil.
Keywords:
food and nutrition security; public policies; food assistance