Consumidores e abastecimento urbano em feiras livres do alto Jequitinhonha

Abstract

The debates on food quality have been broadening, especially in view of the changes in the agrifood system that have occurred in recent decades, which have a direct influence on food consumption. The objective of this article is to investigate the importance of family agriculture free trade fairs for the urban supply of the municipalities of Alto Jequitinhonha, in the state of Minas Gerais, understanding the reciprocal relations between consumers and trade fairs. For this purpose, 230 consumers from five municipalities were researched. Some particularities such as the size of the urban population and consumption habits were fundamental to understand the problem of urban supply. The results point to a strong relationship of trust and reciprocity between consumers and local producers; consumers emphasize their preferences for customary food, associating food with cultural, social and economic valorization of the territory.