Encouraging healthy eating habits among Brazilians is the purpose of courses in the cities of São Paulo and Recife, from today through next Monday, July 25, for 88 professionals in Brazil.

These specialists work in projects financed by Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation (MDS) and geared to greater food availability – Community Kitchens, Community Restaurants, and Food Banks.

The courses, which will last eight days, are designed exclusively for administrators, nutritionists, food engineers, and technical assistants who participate in Zero Hunger programs.

Professionals from the states of Southern Brazil, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro are participating in the course in São Paulo, while professionals from the states of Northern and Northeastern Brazil are attending the course in Recife.

The content of the courses is the Eating Right Project, which prepares educational workshops on such topics as the right to food, food and nutritional security, promotion of healthy alimentation, and diet in all stages of the life cycle.

Since 2003 the MDS has transferred US$ 8.6 million (20 million reais) to states and municipalities to finance the construction of 32 community restaurants, and the prospect for this year is to spend US$ 16.3 million (38 million reais) on another 78 projects.

An additional quantity of US$ 2.1 (5 million reais) was used for the installation of 25 Food Banks, and an equal amount went to the Community Kitchens Project.

ABr – www.radiobras.gov.br