An interdisciplinary look at the work of outsourced school cooks from state schools in the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction:

the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), in Brazil, is one of the largest in the world. However, only few studies focus on those who are responsible for its execution, in particular, the school cooks.

Objective:

to understand the organization and the characteristics of the cooks’ work and their consequences, both for the implementation of the school feeding program and for the workers themselves.

Methods:

qualitative study based on ergonomic work analysis (EWA). The results were discussed according to activity ergonomics and political science. This study, conducted in 2017, involved eight outsourced cooks allocated to three state schools of Campinas public network, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Results:

the cooks’ work was characterized, along with its challenges and developments. The study unveiled the reality faced in school kitchens. We identify the main coping mechanisms developed by the workers to deal with the work prescribed demands and to make it feasible according to the conditions offered to them. We discuss the important role, although not sufficiently recognized, played by these professionals in the implementation of the PNAE.

Conclusion:

the double theoretical view made it possible to recognize how coping is present in these workers’ daily lives and made it possible to highlight the problems generated by outsourcing and the devaluation of practical knowledge.

Keywords:
school feeding; food assistance; occupational health