Percepções sobre alimentos orgânicos de alunos de duas escolas de Corumbá/MS

Abstract

The approach to food security and the inclusion of organic foods in the population's diet are fundamental issues for health and should be addressed in basic education. The research starts from the question of how effective schools are in addressing issues related to agroecology and healthy eating. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe the perceptions of students at two schools located in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, on the Brazil-Bolivia border, regarding agroecology and organic foods. This is a quantitative and descriptive study, using bibliographic research techniques and a questionnaire with structured questions administered to students in grades 6 through 8. A total of 147 students were interviewed, 60 from one school and 87 from another. The results indicated that, although most students claim to know what organic foods are, they are unable to associate them with agroecology, demonstrating conceptual confusion (such as mixing organic with hydroponics) and a failure to distinguish agroecological production from conventional agriculture.