The aim is to stimulate the fishing and aquaculture sectors, particularly family farming and artisanal fishing

Federal Government Advances Plan to Include Aquaculture and Artisanal Fish in School Meals Nationwide

BRAZIL
Wednesday, November 05, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Historic Agreement Between MPA, MEC, and FNDE Maps Consumption and Aims to Expand Supply Through Family Farming and Traditional Fishing for PNAE

The Federal Government is moving forward with a historic initiative to increase the presence of artisanal fish and aquaculture products in the menus of the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) across Brazil. This action is materialized through a Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA), the Ministry of Education (MEC), and the National Fund for the Development of Education (FNDE). The core objective is to bolster food security for students and stimulate the fishing and aquaculture sectors, particularly family farming and artisanal fishing.

Diagnosing Current Consumption and Expanding Variety

A crucial initial step in this agreement was the distribution of a questionnaire to nutritionists nationwide. This diagnostic tool aims to map the current scenario of fish consumption in schools, as confirmed by Diogo Nunes, director of the Department of Productive Inclusion and Innovations at MPA.

“We are investigating the challenges, how the fish arrive, their quality, whether they are fish, mollusks or crustaceans, and if there are suppliers in the territory. The form is designed to help us better understand this scenario. The idea is to increase the supply and diversity of fish, so as not to be limited to just white fish, thus expanding the variety of the menu,” states Nunes.

This initiative marks the first time the Federal Government has established interconnected guidelines for fish within a national food policy. Beyond the diagnostic, the plan includes:

• Training for artisanal fishermen and women.

• Qualification of nutritionists and cooks.

• Guidance on processing and sanitary regulations.

• Creation of regional catalogs of suitable species and products for public purchase.

PNAE Rules and Nutritional Benefits

The success of this agreement is strongly supported by the revision of the PNAE rules. Starting January 1, 2026, the minimum percentage of food purchases from family farming and traditional peoples and communities will increase to 45%. This regulatory change ensures a steady and prioritized market for the products supplied by artisanal communities.

The inclusion of fish is vital for student health, as it is considered a crucial food for the neurological and cognitive development of children. Consuming two portions per week during school years is known to promote health and enhance learning.

Success Stories Already Emerging

While still a modest reality nationwide, the inclusion of fish in school meals is already a successful model in some regions. A notable example is the city of Remanso, in Bahia.

According to Eliete Cunha, an artisanal fisherwoman and member of the Association of Fishermen and Fisherwomen of Remanso (APPR), they supply over 70 schools in the municipality through the PNAE. They use fish like tilapia, tucunaré, and pescada to prepare fillets in sauce, reporting annual sales of up to 5,000 kilos to the municipality, as detailed in the ÓAÊ Dossier (2023-2024). This local success story illustrates the potential for expanding this model.

Next Steps for Implementation

Following the diagnostic phase, the initiative will focus on aligning traditional knowledge with existing legislation. Future steps include:

• Developing technical documents to support municipalities and state education departments.

• Creating technical guidelines for the acquisition of fish.

• Strengthening and promoting fish consumption.

• Implementing monitoring with periodic meetings and technical reports to track the program's progress.

Source: MPA Press Office, ÓAÊ Dossier

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print