Inseguridad alimentaria,hábitos alimenticios y comensalidad en comedores infantiles deTucumán y Santiago del Estero, antes y durante la pandemia por COVID-19

Abstract

En el marco de un proyecto de investigación PISAC-COVID, se indagó sobre las características de la oferta alimentaria extra-familiar durante la pandemia, identificando hábitos alimenticios y características de la comensalidad según niveles de inseguridad alimentaria en comedores infantiles de dos de las provincias más pobres de Argentina: Tucumán y Santiago del Estero. La situación actual de nuestro país respecto a su seguridad alimentaria es controversial: es reconocido como proveedor de alimentos (otrora denominado “granero del mundo”), mientras simultáneamente presenta niveles elevados de pobreza e indigencia que condicionarían la seguridad alimentaria de su población. De allí que esta ponencia pretende aportar conocimiento al respecto, indagando sobre hábitos alimenticios y comensalidad en estos espacios de alimentación infantil, relacionándolo con los niveles territoriales de inseguridad alimentaria.

In the framework of a PISAC-COVID research project, the characteristics of the extra-family food supply during the pandemic were investigated, identifying eating habits and characteristics of commensality according to levels of food insecurity in children's kitchens in two of the poorest provinces of Argentina: Tucumán and Santiago del Estero. We consider that the current situation in our country regarding its food security is controversial, as it is recognized as a food supplier (formerly known as the "granary of the world") but simultaneously presents high levels of poverty and indigence that would condition the food security of its population. This situation occurs because, although production is sufficient, equity is not guaranteed. The conditioning factors would be defined in a macrosocial order, related to global economic behavior and monetary policies; as well as in the micro social order. Likewise, the consolidation of a network of community canteens and picnic areas would have been key to mitigating this problem in a critical context, both epidemiological and socioeconomic aspects. The appearance and development of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with the political measures implemented for its treatment, would have affected the characteristics of dining rooms and social picnic areas, generating ruptures and continuities. This presentation aims to provide knowledge in this regard, inquiring about eating habits and commensality in these infant feeding spaces, relating it to the territorial levels of food insecurity