Food consumption and use of Cerrado fruits in quilombola communities in Goiás

The aims of this study were to explore the qualitative food consumption and to investigate the use of native fruits of the Brazilian Cerrado biome by quilombola communities of Goias, Brazil. Data collection was performed through interviews with leaders of communities who participated in the I Meeting of Health and Quality of Life of Quilombola Communities of Goias. It was identified a food consumption restricted to basic items with recurrent presence of rice, pumpkin, potato, okra, banana, cassava, corn, beans, sesame, peanuts and castor oil in the usual diet. The presence of Cerrado fruits in sweets, liqueurs, canned and some salty recipes was identified, being the main, pequi, mangaba, baru, jatoba and cagaita. There was a reduction in the consumption of several native fruits, but at the same time, it was identified that there is a recognition by the communities regarding the importance of the use and preservation of these foods and quilombola eating practices. It reinforces the importance of actions to rescue and enhance the quilombola food culture, which dialogue with food and nutritional security and with the local development of the communities.