Models of food re-distribution during the COVID-19 and social protection mechanisms to reduce hunger and food insecurity

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has heightened growing global warnings of hunger and food insecurity. The related negative impacts are expected to last a long time, since in addition to issues inherent to health, there was an increase in unemployment rates and loss of income for individuals, added to the increase in food prices. In this context, attention to solutions aimed at redistributing food to vulnerable populations becomes increasingly relevant. In Brazil, this function is mostly assumed by food banks. However, the role of managing a food bank presents many challenges related to managing resources and the chain of donations and beneficiaries. Considering this context and the impacts of Covid-19, new initiatives are emerging to join efforts in the fight against hunger and food insecurity. Empirically, it is possible to observe the functioning of three different food redistribution organizational models in the city of São Paulo during Covid-19: public sector (administered by the municipal government), private sector and third sector (NGOs). The knowledge related to the operational, managerial and impact mechanisms, as well as the factors that hinder or drive food redistribution initiatives in large urban cities will help make social protection accessible to all those who need it. It is possible to generate mutual learning and overcome challenges by understanding best practices across these different food redistribution organizational models. Theoretically, organizational and human resources are associated with the notion of intellectual capital, which is divided into the dimensions of human, organizational and relational capital. The understanding about these mechanisms is essential for the development of public policies that support the fair redistribution of food. Thus, the main objective of this research is to understand which mechanisms related to the intellectual capital of the different food redistribution models identified during Covid-19 in São Paulo act as barriers and facilitators of their operation, in order to generate mutual learning and policies to make social protection accessible to all those who need it. The research method is case studies of three redistribution models to be mapped through direct participant observation and in-depth interviews with the different stakeholders involved in their operations, in addition to the analysis of secondary documents. In this context, it is expected that this study will contribute to build a broader and more integrated vision of the operation of food redistribution systems and that these systems will continue to operate in order to overcome social inequities, at least in relation to the fulfillment of the fundamental human right, access to adequate food, reflecting the post-Covid-19 Brazilian experience. (AU)