Sustainability pathways in solidarity kitchens: challenges and perspectives from a public health–oriented experience
1
Food Science and Nutrition Department, School of Food Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
2
INCT Combating Hunger, National Institute of Science and Technology - INCT, São Paulo, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1354
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
solidarity kitchens are social technologies that address hunger and food insecurity among socially vulnerable populations and are primarily implemented by civil society organizations and community-based groupsˆ1. in brazil, these initiatives are integrated into public policies within the national food and nutrition security (fns) system, which frames food as a social determinant of health and promotes social participation, family farming, and territorial sustainabilityˆ1,2. by linking food access, community engagement, and local development, solidarity kitchens contribute to reducing social vulnerabilities and strengthening public health actionsˆ3. this study analyzes how a solidarity kitchen in the metropolitan region of campinas, são paulo, supports territorial sustainability and public health through community-based food and nutrition security practices.
METHODS:
this qualitative study is based on participant observation conducted during volunteer activities in a solidarity kitchen located in a peripheral area of the metropolitan region of campinas, são paulo, brazil. data were collected through field notes and descriptive observations of practices related to sustainability, food and nutrition security, and work organization, aiming to identify potentialities, barriers, and strategies to strengthen ongoing actions.
RESULTS:
the solidarity kitchen operates as a space for articulation among social movements, religious organizations, and solidarity economy initiatives, maintaining a direct connection with local agricultural production. observed actions include sustainable practices such as the reuse of organic waste for biofertilizer production applied in community gardens, as well as educational initiatives, including literacy and bread production activities, aimed at income generation and community autonomy. barriers related to resource management and activity integration were identified, indicating opportunities for improvement through partnerships and new social technologies.
CONCLUSIONS:
the experience demonstrates that solidarity kitchens, by addressing food as a social determinant of health, strengthen solidarity networks, promote sustainability, and contribute to territorial public health. such initiatives show potential for replication, provided that local specificities are considered.
solidarity kitchens are social technologies that address hunger and food insecurity among socially vulnerable populations and are primarily implemented by civil society organizations and community-based groupsˆ1. in brazil, these initiatives are integrated into public policies within the national food and nutrition security (fns) system, which frames food as a social determinant of health and promotes social participation, family farming, and territorial sustainabilityˆ1,2. by linking food access, community engagement, and local development, solidarity kitchens contribute to reducing social vulnerabilities and strengthening public health actionsˆ3. this study analyzes how a solidarity kitchen in the metropolitan region of campinas, são paulo, supports territorial sustainability and public health through community-based food and nutrition security practices.
METHODS:
this qualitative study is based on participant observation conducted during volunteer activities in a solidarity kitchen located in a peripheral area of the metropolitan region of campinas, são paulo, brazil. data were collected through field notes and descriptive observations of practices related to sustainability, food and nutrition security, and work organization, aiming to identify potentialities, barriers, and strategies to strengthen ongoing actions.
RESULTS:
the solidarity kitchen operates as a space for articulation among social movements, religious organizations, and solidarity economy initiatives, maintaining a direct connection with local agricultural production. observed actions include sustainable practices such as the reuse of organic waste for biofertilizer production applied in community gardens, as well as educational initiatives, including literacy and bread production activities, aimed at income generation and community autonomy. barriers related to resource management and activity integration were identified, indicating opportunities for improvement through partnerships and new social technologies.
CONCLUSIONS:
the experience demonstrates that solidarity kitchens, by addressing food as a social determinant of health, strengthen solidarity networks, promote sustainability, and contribute to territorial public health. such initiatives show potential for replication, provided that local specificities are considered.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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