alterado para: Para além da alimentação: iniciativas de apoio alimentar, atores e dinâmicas Iniciativas de apoio alimentar: a visão dos voluntários e dos beneficiários

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Publications

“Through the looking glass”: the emotional journey of the volunteer ethnographer when researching sensitive topics with vulnerable populations

Publication . Augusto, Fábio Rafael; Hilario, Ana Patricia

This paper extends further research on being both a volunteer and ethnographic researcher and intends to offer some insights on the emotional challenges of adopting this dual role when conducting research on sensitive topics and with vulnerable populations. The discussion presented here draws upon an ethnographic participant observation study of a food redistribution organization (Re-food) held in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The paper builds awareness on the emotional challenges in the field and discusses potential selfreflective strategies for researchers to cope with the extraordinary demands posed on them by specific circumstances and subjects. The volunteer ethnographer, when developing their work, is subject to a wide range of emotional challenges that are related to the functions that they had to develop in the research context itself due to their dual role, as well as to the vulnerability of participants and the sensitivity of the topic addressed.

2019Journal article

Open access

Public support for vegetarian meals in public canteens: a preliminary study

Publication . Cardoso, Sónia; Augusto, Fábio Rafael; Nunes, Nádia; Graça, João

In 2016 the United Nations implemented the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets pertaining to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Scientific evidence suggests that of the 17 goals, at least six would be closer to being accomplished1 if the Global West transitioned to a more plant-based diet.2 In 2006 a fao (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) report identified the livestock sector as “by far the single largest anthropogenic user of land” (Steinfeld et al. 2006, xxi) since it uses no less than 70% of all agricultural land and 30% of the land surface of the planet. This amount of production takes its toll on the environment: the livestock sector operates as a big influencer in climate change, reportedly responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions – a share higher than all transports taken together. The sector is also stated to be one of the greatest contributors to water pollution and biodiversity loss (possibly even being the primary cause) due to its role in deforestation and in “land degradation, pollution, climate change, overfishing, sedimentation of coastal areas and facilitation of invasions by alien species” (Steinfeld et al. 2006, xxii and xxiii).

2018Book part

Open access

Ajuda alimentar em Portugal: as iniciativas e os seus atores

Publication . Augusto, Fábio Rafael

O aumento do número de pedidos de ajuda alimentar, bem como o crescimento, expansão e consolidação das iniciativas a atuar no sector, têm gerado debate sobre o lugar ocupado por estas organizações e o papel que desempenham. Em Portugal, um pouco à semelhança do que acontece no contexto europeu, têm-se verificado processos de crescente responsabilização moral da sociedade civil em matéria de ajuda alimentar. O Estado Social tem delegado nestas entidades parte das suas funções e há críticas apontadas na literatura científica acerca das iniciativas de apoio alimentar que incorrem no risco de desconsiderar qualquer valor social positivo associado a estas organizações. Isto contribui ativamente para a ausência deste tipo de estratégias de atuação e para a promoção de vazios interventivos sem que existam alternativas funcionais. Face à previsível continuidade e permanência deste tipo de respostas, é importante conhecer as mesmas de forma compreensiva e procurar perceber como elas podem ir ao encontro das necessidades dos seus atores.

2022Other

Open access

"I Don’t Come Here Just for the Food”: Manifestations of Care in Food Assistance Initiatives

Publication . Augusto, Fábio Rafael

This paper seeks to understand the social role played by food assistance initiatives in Portugal. Based on the understanding that these organizations are “spaces of care,” it is possible to reflect on the support provided by them in a more comprehensive and integrative way. Therefore, the various care practices that emerge in these organizational contexts are explored. This study presents a qualitative comparative methodological approach and a range of ethnographic methods to explore the perspectives of different actors (supervisors, volunteers, and beneficiaries) within different models of food assistance (Surplus Food Redistribution Charity, Soup Kitchen, and Social Supermarket). The main results indicate the presence of several “improvised” and “veiled” care practices in the analyzed initiatives that go beyond food issues. These manifestations of care may stem from altruistic acts and/or function as a “remedial measure,” serving as a compensatory mechanism in response to services deemed inadequate.

2024Journal article

Open access

School Meals and Food Poverty: Children’s Views, Parents’ Perspectives and the Role of School

Publication . Cardoso, Sónia; Truninger, Mónica; Ramos, Vasco; Augusto, Fábio Rafael

This paper addresses the importance of school meals in balancing food budgets and diets among 45 lowincome families in Portugal. Drawing on interviews with both parents and children (aged 11–15 years) we found that children’s views on the quality of school meals affect their willingness to eat at school and heighten parental concerns with health, food and resources. For parents, school meals are crucial to ensure children’s dietary variety and balancing tight food budgets. Schools’ role in food poverty alleviation is also critically addressed, contributing to current and future sociological studies of children, school meals and food poverty.

2019Journal article

Open access