Percepción del programa de alimentación escolar en los estudiantes de quinto y sexto de educación general básica de la Unidad Educativa Manuel J Calle de la ciudad de Cuenca-Ecuador en el 2024-2025

Abstract

Background: In 1989, the School Feeding Program was launched with the purpose of serving 600,000 children and adolescents in specific areas. Over time, this program has undergone changes in its management and in the content of the meals offered, and in 2022 it has extended its reach to 2,877,114 beneficiaries.(1) General objective: To describe the perceptions of the direct beneficiaries of the Ecuadorian School Feeding Program (PAE) in the morning day of the Manuel J. Calle Educational Unit. Methods: A convenience sample of 20 participants was selected, divided equally into two groups of 10 participants. A semi-structured interview was used for data collection, complemented with audio recordings that were later transcribed manually. Data analysis was carried out using ATLAS.ti software. Results: Most students reported constant access to food, although some mentioned irregular deliveries. The foods were perceived as fresh and varied, with the exception of the puree, which generated rejection due to its taste and condition. Adherence was high, although some shared the food, reflecting variations in acceptance depending on the product. In general, students were satisfied with the program, although they pointed out insufficient portions. Conclusion: The participants reported that although the program is positively valued for its nutritional contribution and the perceived quality of certain products, there are areas for improvement related to the variety, taste and quantity of the food offered.