EAT BETTER AND MORE: THE IMPACTS OF THE BOLSA FAMÍLIA PROGRAM IN THE FEEDING OF FISHERWOMEN FAMILIES IN PERNAMBUCO

Abstract

The Bolsa Família Program was launched by the Brazilian government with the goal of eradicating hunger and poverty in Brazil. This article analyzes the impact of this social welfare benefit in the feeding of families of artisanal fisherwomen in the State of Pernambuco, through empirical research conducted in 11 cities in 2010. We highlight the importance of gender to think of fishing activity and eating practices. Through survey data, we show that the benefit have changed the eating habits of the target families, both in the amount of food consumed, in the case of meat, and in introducing new foodstuffs into everyday eating practices, such as some industrialized foods. We have also observed that the Bolsa Família has a close connection with both fishing activities and daily life of the interviewed fisherwomen.Keywords: Feeding, fisherwomen, Bolsa Família Program.