El papel de los comedores y merenderos sociales en la alimentación de infancias pertenecientes a familias vulnerables durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en la provincia de Mendoza, Argentina

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Caracterizar el papel de comedores y merenderos barriales de Mendoza (Argentina) en la alimentación de infancias vulnerables durante la pandemia y comparar iniciativas gestionadas por movimientos sociales, por agrupaciones vecinales y en espacios gubernamentales. Metodología: Estudio exploratorio cualitativo con base en una muestra intencional de informantes de barrios de Gran Mendoza y Gran San Rafael con inseguridad alimentaria. Se realizaron 16 entrevistas semiestructuradas a referentes sociales, a docentes y a personal de salud entre abril y agosto de 2021. Para analizar la información se utilizó el método de comparación constante. Resultados: Comedores y merenderos difieren en la previsibilidad de recursos para proveer alimentos según sus vinculaciones con las políticas de asistencia alimentaria directa implementadas antes y durante la pandemia. Todos los espacios están a cargo de mujeres, utilizan estrategias similares para adquirir mercaderías y ofrecen preparaciones semejantes contemplando disponibilidad de insumos y preferencias de los comensales. Conclusión: Las iniciativas comunitarias contribuyeron a sostener la alimentación de niños y adolescentes de familias ligadas a la economía informal que recurrieron a ellas en razón de la merma de ingresos por efecto del aislamiento. No se identifican diferencias relevantes en los menús ofrecidos entre comedores y merenderos gestionados por movimientos sociales y en los de tipo autogestivo, vecinal. Las experiencias organizativas de comensalidad barrial, el apoyo de vecinos y relaciones de confianza previamente construidas con donantes externos fueron clave para sostener la entrega de raciones y el cuidado de personas aisladas.

ABSTRACT

The aims of the study are to characterize the role of various types of community dining centers located in the Argentinian province of Mendoza in feeding vulnerable children during the pandemic and to compare initiatives coming from social movements that facilitate the state's food assistance to the ones managed by self-directed neighborhood associations and those of governmental spaces. The methodology is qualitative and exploratory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 informants from neighborhoods located in Gran Mendoza and Gran San Rafael with food insecurity between April and August 2021. A constant comparative method was used to analyze the information. Results: There were differences in the predictability of resources to provide food between community dining centers which related to their connections with direct food assistance policies implemented before and during the pandemic. Shared characteristics included women being in charge and the deployment of combined strategies of obtaining resources to deal with higher food demand. The food offered was similar and subject to the availability of supplies and diners' preferences. Conclusion: Community initiatives contributed to sustaining the nutrition of children and teenagers from families working in the informal economy that utilized them due to isolation-related salary cuts. No relevant differences were found between menus offered in dining centers managed by social movements and the self-managed, neighborhood-based ones. The management experiences of neighborhood associations, the support of neighbors, and previously built relationships of trust with donors and external organizations were key to upholding the delivery of rations and care of isolated people.