Orange production supplies school meals and guarantees nutritious meals

The municipality of Rio Preto da Eva, known as the "Land of Orange" and the main citrus hub in Amazonas, stands out for its production that supplies school meals in several cities of the state. The action is part of the School Meal Regionalization Program (Preme), which prioritizes fresh foods and strengthens family agriculture. At Fazenda Progresso, one of the three largest orange producers in Amazonas, the harvest continues at a fast pace. After the harvest, the oranges go to the warehouse, where they undergo a rigorous process of washing, selection, and classification. The producer, Alfredo Decares, closely monitors each step to ensure that only quality fruits reach the schools. According to him, the machinery separates the oranges by size and discards those with defects. The process involves dozens of workers, from the harvest to the selection of fruits in the warehouse. "The orange comes from the field, goes through the washing and classification machine. Those that are not ...