Global Warming Impact in a Food Distribution System: A Case-Study in an Elementary School in Piaui

The present study aims to evaluate the environmental impact of the food supply system in the State of Piaui, Brazil, through the transport of the provision of school meals from the farm to a public elementary school located in Piracuruca-Piaui. The concepts of 'local food' chains, carbon reduction policies, and global environmental sustainability were applied. The research has an exploratory emphasis and used a survey for analyzing the data. The food used in the school meals was divided into two groups: perishable and non-perishable. The environmental impact study on greenhouse gases emissions focused on perishable food, separating them into two groups: those from family farming and local production, and others from abroad. It was found that it is necessary to improve the logistics of transportation of family farming production, avoiding that each farmer makes the transport of its production individually. Such an initiative might have a significant impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.