“UFSCar” Index of Effectiveness applied to the Food Purchase Program for food and nutritional safety of farming families in the hinterland of São Paulo state

Abstract This work aims to develop an index to evaluate the effectiveness of Brazil’s Food Purchase Program (FPP), using the perspective of food and nutritional safety (FNS) for farming families in the settlement territory of Araraquara, São Paulo, as analytical reference. To develop the index, we selected analytical variables with theoretical and methodological adherence to the concepts of FNS, FPP, and family agriculture (FA),using the statistical method of orthogonal factor rotation (Varimax). The theoretical framework—neo-institutionalism—was used to discuss the public policies for food safety, and create an analysis based on effort, reciprocity, and confidence in the construction of networks through the FPP. The level of food (in)security was evaluated by the UFSCar Index of Food Safety for family farmers. Data show that 73% of farmers who regularly access the FPP have moderate or high rates of FNS, while 93% of those who do not access the program have a moderate or low FNS index. This shows that despite institutional efforts, food unsafety is still present and must continue to be addressed in the public policy agenda.