Brazil
Healthy Vegetarian Meals for a Low-Income Region of São Paulo
The Brazilian Institute of Studies and Community Support (IBEAC) is a nongovernmental organization operating since 2008 in five neighborhoods in Parelheiros, a peripheral neighborhood in the south of São Paulo with extremely low socioeconomic status. In this project, nine women and one man work in a communal kitchen to promote healthy diets among Parelheiros residents. The group receives training in nutrition education and the preparation of healthy vegetarian and organic foods; as part of the project, they share their knowledge with the wider community in training meetings and tastings at schools, health clinics, and other local sites. Tours to local organic farms promote home cooking with healthy produce and homegrown ingredients. Annually renewable project