Banca de DEFESA: LUZIA LUNA PAMPONET

Ecology at the fair: knowledge exchange and science showcase

Sustainable food system; Short food supply chains; Solidarity economy; Food and nutrition security.

The agroecological fairs held in Salvador form a heterogeneous scenario, with different approaches to the complex relationships that are part of Agroecology. To study this scenario, this work sought parameters for a general characterization of the fairs, with reference to the six dimensions of agroecology (Caporal and Costabeber, 2002): ecological, economic, social, cultural, political, and ethical. The methodological procedure used was narrative review, followed by field investigation, with the application of semi-structured interviews in 12 fairs in the city of Salvador, with qualitative analysis of the scenario. The literature presents agroecological fairs not only as spaces for selling ecologically based food but also committed to multiple dimensions, with integration into short chains (spatial and relational proximity), a family-based work foundation, objectives of food and nutrition security, solidarity economy, organized political movements, ethical relationships, and a cultural environment oriented towards awareness, education, and exchanges. The results suggest that the perspective of countering the conventional food system is present in the fairs of Salvador, although practices demonstrate different levels of commitment to agroecological paradigms. While challenges were identified, the prioritization of family farming and the predominance of direct sales in short-cycle chains were positively detected, as well as the potential environment for science popularization. The outcome of this work was an e-book on the agroecological fairs of Salvador and the popularization of science.