Outreach strategies for introducing fish into school meals to promote food security and environmental sustainability

Abstract

This study aimed to promote students’ awareness regarding environmental preservation and the impact of contamination on the nutritional quality of fish. In this context, the study was conducted with students from a school in the municipality of Palmas, state of Tocantins, Brazil, using active methodologies in Food and Nutrition Education workshops. To evaluate the effectiveness of the workshops, a pre-test was applied at the beginning of the educational activity in order to assess the students’ prior knowledge about fish consumption, spawning season restrictions, sustainable fishing, and river pollution. Subsequently, educational workshops were carried out using playful and participatory methods, supported by informative videos and interactive practical activities. The results demonstrated a significant increase in students’ understanding of the concepts addressed after the educational interventions, confirming the effectiveness of the methodologies adopted. Furthermore, an improvement in students’ environmental awareness was observed, evidenced by a better understanding of spawning season restrictions, sustainable fishing practices, and river preservation. Therefore, it can be concluded that Food and Nutrition Education actions, when applied in a playful manner and integrated into the school curriculum, can enhance positive changes, contributing to the development of more conscious and engaged citizens committed to healthy eating and sustainability.