The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have led to an increase in the number of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition. The war, in particular, has affected countries and commercial partners that rely on agricultural commodities from both Russia and Ukraine as producers face difficulties in commercialising their produce with the increase in agricultural input prices. Brazil’s Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (Food Procurement Programme) is a food procurement policy by which the government directly purchases produce from small-scale/family farmers that are distributed to those who need them most, identified through welfare services. Since 2003, the PAA has guaranteed the commercialisation of family farmer production, ensuring that they have access to regular income. It has also provided adequate and healthy food to families experiencing food insecurity.

This Policy Brief recommends the adaptation of Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos for other countries as it could accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).