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Para além da alimentação: Iniciativas de apoio alimentar, atores e dinâmicas
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O lugar ocupado pelas iniciativas de apoio alimentar, no contexto das
sociedades ocidentais modernas, encontra-se envolto em indefinições. O
desenvolvimento deste tipo de iniciativas tem gerado múltiplos debates, dentro e fora
do espaço académico, acerca do que elas representam ou deveriam (idealmente)
representar. Considera-se que um elemento central e transversal às diferentes
perspetivas em torno destas organizações, relaciona-se com a referência ao seu papel
social. Este constitui, justamente, o foco da presente pesquisa: compreender e analisar
o papel social desempenhado pelas iniciativas de apoio alimentar, recorrendo, para tal,
às perspetivas dos seus atores (responsáveis, voluntários e beneficiários). Estas
respostas controversas e contestadas têm vindo a ser analisadas à luz de quadros
teóricos que se consideram ser restritivos, na medida em que promovem leituras
circulares e fechadas. Além disso, denota-se, sobretudo no contexto nacional uma quase
completa ausência de estudos sobre estas iniciativas. Escasseiam, assim, análises sobre
a heterogeneidade que caracteriza o universo sobre a ajuda alimentar, sobre os seus
atores e sobre as dinâmicas entre ambos. Com o intuito de mitigar estas questões, a
presente pesquisa avança com uma estratégia metodológica qualitativa comparativa de
carácter etnográfico institucional para explorar a perspetiva de atores chave inseridos
em diferentes modelos de ajuda alimentar - Organização de Redistribuição de
Alimentos (ORA), Cantina Social e Mercearia Social. A análise e interpretação dos
dados através de um quadro teórico inovador (lente crítica do cuidar) conduziu a
descobertas que rompem e desafiam as narrativas dominantes em torno das iniciativas
de apoio alimentar. Os principais resultados apontam, por um lado, para a existência de
múltiplas práticas de cuidado ‘veladas’ e ‘improvisadas’ nas iniciativas investigadas
que vão para além das questões alimentares e, por outro lado, para a constatação de que
as mesmas podem assentar em atos altruístas e/ou constituir um mecanismo
compensatório face a um serviço prestado que é entendido, pelos seus próprios atores,
como sendo insuficiente. São ainda avançadas algumas reflexões e recomendações,
tanto a nível da investigação como em termos de políticas públicas e intervenção social.
The place occupied by food assistance initiatives, in the context of modern western societies, is shrouded in uncertainty. The development of this type of initiative has generated multiple debates, inside and outside the academic circle, about what they represent or should (ideally) represent. It is considered that a central and transversal element to the different perspectives around these organizations is related to the reference to their social role. This is precisely the focus of this research: to understand and analyse the social role played by food assistance initiatives, resorting, for this, to the perspectives of their actors (supervisors, volunteers, and beneficiaries). These controversial and contested responses have been analysed in the light of theoretical frameworks that are considered to be restrictive, promoting circular and closed readings. Furthermore, especially in the national context, there is an almost complete absence of empirical studies on these initiatives. Thus, there is a lack of analyses on the heterogeneity that characterizes the universe of food assistance, on its actors and on the dynamics between them. In order to address these issues, the present research adopts a qualitative comparative methodological strategy and a range of ethnographic methods to explore the perspective of different actors within different models of food assistance – Food Redistribution Organization (FRO), Soup Kitchen and Social Supermarket. The analysis and interpretation of the data through an innovative theoretical framework (critical lens of care) has led to findings that disrupt and challenge the dominant narratives around food assistance initiatives. The main results point, on the one hand, to the existence of multiple ‘veiled’ and ‘improvised’ care practices in the initiatives studied that go beyond food issues and, on the other hand, to the realization that they can be based on altruistic acts and/or constitute a compensatory mechanism for a service provided that is understood, by its own actors, as being insufficient. Some reflections and recommendations are also advanced, both in terms of research and in terms of public policies and social intervention.
The place occupied by food assistance initiatives, in the context of modern western societies, is shrouded in uncertainty. The development of this type of initiative has generated multiple debates, inside and outside the academic circle, about what they represent or should (ideally) represent. It is considered that a central and transversal element to the different perspectives around these organizations is related to the reference to their social role. This is precisely the focus of this research: to understand and analyse the social role played by food assistance initiatives, resorting, for this, to the perspectives of their actors (supervisors, volunteers, and beneficiaries). These controversial and contested responses have been analysed in the light of theoretical frameworks that are considered to be restrictive, promoting circular and closed readings. Furthermore, especially in the national context, there is an almost complete absence of empirical studies on these initiatives. Thus, there is a lack of analyses on the heterogeneity that characterizes the universe of food assistance, on its actors and on the dynamics between them. In order to address these issues, the present research adopts a qualitative comparative methodological strategy and a range of ethnographic methods to explore the perspective of different actors within different models of food assistance – Food Redistribution Organization (FRO), Soup Kitchen and Social Supermarket. The analysis and interpretation of the data through an innovative theoretical framework (critical lens of care) has led to findings that disrupt and challenge the dominant narratives around food assistance initiatives. The main results point, on the one hand, to the existence of multiple ‘veiled’ and ‘improvised’ care practices in the initiatives studied that go beyond food issues and, on the other hand, to the realization that they can be based on altruistic acts and/or constitute a compensatory mechanism for a service provided that is understood, by its own actors, as being insufficient. Some reflections and recommendations are also advanced, both in terms of research and in terms of public policies and social intervention.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Alimentação Pobreza alimentar Insegurança alimentar Apoio alimentar Redes de apoio