Abstract

MARIA ELINA, Figueroa; LOPEZ, Alba Mariana; PEREZ, Tamara Andrea  and  OHARRIZ, Elida. Healthy and autochthonous food in community organizations within Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Diaeta [online]. 2018, vol.36, n.165, pp.16-21. ISSN 1852-7337.

Introduction: in the City of Buenos Aires (CABA), food security initiatives are developed for the vulnerable population, directed by community organizations in soup kitchens. Recognizing cultural diversity in these community areas allows valuing the meaning foods have for assisted populations, as well as considerations related to autochthonous food practices. Objectives: to improve resources and adapt autochthonous food customs in soup kitchens in order to promote health and nutritional wellbeing within the assisted population. Materials and methods: prospective, descriptive and longitudinal study. A sociocultural analysis of food customs of migrant population that benefit from the Support Program to Community Groups (CABA) was carried out. The data was collected through a semi-structured mixed survey. Results: 59 people (52 women) were surveyed; average age 35. The population distribution was heterogeneous: 62% Bolivians, 21% Paraguayans, 11% Argentine (children of migrants), 4% Peruvians and 2% Chileans. Eighty-nine per cent consider typical foods as beneficial for health. 78 per cent consume autochthonous foods only on special social events. They referred association of their typical foods to several emotions such as happiness and memories. Conclusions: soup kitchens allow access to food assistance, constituting a place where different cultures converge. It is necessary to promote spaces to value gastronomic heritage, and preserve transmission in successive generations. Giving relevance to food culture is necessary to promote food sovereignty.

Keywords : Food safety; Cultural diversity; Food customs; Soup kitchens; Migrant population.

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