Management, operations, and menus in Kaingáng indigenous schools participating in the National School Nutrition Program in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Few studies have focused on the National School Nutrition Program (PNAE) in indigenous schools in Brazil. The current study describes the program's operations, management, and menus in 35 Kaingáng indigenous schools in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study design was used to obtain information on the program through questionnaires submitted to the Regional Educational Offices (CRE) and to the schools. The menus suggested to the schools by the regional offices were obtained. There were no Centers for Indigenous Education in the regional offices. All the assistant principals were indigenous, 26 schools (74.6%) practiced local management of the meal program, and 34 (97.1%) reported purchasing food from local markets. Most cooks (63.9%) had temporary work contracts with the schools and 65.7% were indigenous. Low offerings of veges, milk and dairy products were observed in around 60% of the menus, and legumes and fruits low in around 80%. It points out the need for more studies about the indigenous PNAE and intends to support public policies in health, food and nutrition for the national indigenous school .