Consumption of Unconventional Food Plants (UFP) and their contributions to Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo

Abstract

The consumption of food plants grown in urban residential gardens can contribute to enrich the diet of families, contributing to Nutritional Food Security (SAN). This research investigated the presence of Unconventional Food Plants (UFP) present in the backyards, their respective consumption and potential contribution to the SAN. The study took place in the city of Registro, SP, located in the region of Vale do Ribeira, State of São Paulo, in february and march 2023. Through the "Snowball" methodology, 20 residences were studied. For the choice of residences, we sought to follow the Paulista Index of Social Vulnerability (IPVS) of the city. Two research instruments were applied, a semi-structured script, which directed the recorded interviews and an instrument to measure food insecurity. The results show that the plants present in the gardens studied and consumed in the feeding of the families are: ora-pro-nóbis (OPN), malvarisco, alfavaca-do-mato, turmeric and nabutitana. All of them with nutritional value. However, some UFP that can contribute to the quality of the diet, are not used by families, such as: caruru, major-gomes, almeirão-roxo, aranto and yam. It is concluded that diagnosis of food plants in urban residential gardens are important sources of information for promoting food and nutritional education.