Daniel L'Acosta
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - A study conducted by the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UFF) and published by the Ministry of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation (MDS) shows that 94.2% of the children benefitted by the Family Grant program eat at least three meals a day. According to the study, milk consumption grew to the point where it is consumed in 70% of the homes that receive the grant, and beneficiaries of the grant eat more fruit and crackers in the homes that include children.

According to the MDS's secretary of Information Assessment and Management, Rômulo Paes de Sousa, there was an improvement in food quality and an increase in the quantity of products consumed by families that are recipients of the Family Grant.

"We are transferring an average of US$ 28 to poor families each month. This amount bolstered their family budgets by 21%. The impact of the program affects the children first and then the entire family in terms of food benefits," Paes affirmed.

The secretary observed that the families are demonstrating that they know how to spent wisely the money they receive from the government. "They have the chance to buy food, which they do as a priority. The funds are shared among all family members who need greater nutritional care, especially the children."

The study was carried out from March 1-18 this year. Three thousand heads of households served by the program were interviewed.

The Family Grant is the federal government's most important income transfer program. It covers 9.2 million needy families whose monthly per capita income does not exceed US$ 52.

According to the MDS, the goal is to reach 11.1 million families by the end of this year. US$ 3.6 billion have been budgeted for the program in 2006.

Translation: David Silberstein