The last episode of the reality TV show Vida de Merendeira, an initiative of the National School Development Fund (FNDE) in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil, with the support of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), will be aired today (27). The show is broadcasted on the Sabor & Arte channel every Thursday at 8pm.
The reality show featured 15 lunch ladies representing all regions of the country. As well as competing to demonstrate their culinary skills, which have strong cultural traits, the contestants were able to show the day-to-day of their profession and the importance of the activity they carry out for their lives and for the lives of the children in the schools where they work. Only three lunch ladies got to the show’s finale.
In the previous episode (semi-final), aired on June 20, guests from Angola and Mozambique took part, promoting a cultural exchange by sharing typical recipes from their countries. This moment allowed for an exchange of experiences in the context of school meals and cooperation between countries in the global south.
The reality show’s grand finalists are Josefa Graciene Ribeiro, from Alagoas, in the Northeast region; Leila Espinoza, from Mato Grosso, in the Midwest region; and Sarah Jane Ribeiro, from Minas Gerais, in the Southeast region. They were chosen not only for their high culinary skills, but also for meeting the criteria of the National School Feeding Programme (PNAE), which are used on a daily basis in schools, such as focusing on children’s nutrition and food safety.
The full season can be watched on the official Sabor&Arte and WFP Centre of Excellence YouTube channels.