Raw-milk cheese producers in Brazil are not allowed to sell their produce at local markets. This has especially negative effects on women and their income, who are traditionally responsible for cheese-making. Collaborative research in the r4d project Food Sustainability enabled women and their communities to find pathways towards legalisation of their traditional dairy product.
Raw-milk cheese-making belongs to the culinary culture of Seara in Brazil. Originally established by settlers from Germany, Italy and Poland, this cheese has traditionally been produced by women who passed it on to new generations. Cheese-making enhanced their visibility in the community, and generated extra income. Potential health risks prompted Brazil to ban produce from raw-milk cheese-making in the 1990s.
The r4d projectFood Sustainabilityfocuses on food value chains and food security. Researchers organised panel discussions with local famers about food security, traditions, rights and sustainability. These panels initiated a process of local empowerment, providing possibilities for associating and exchanging with other dairy food producers and for reducing isolation. Arguments for legalisation of raw-milk cheese-making and marketing were collected to initiate a process with the higher authorities to rethink the safety of local traditional dairy products. More recognition at both regional and national level is a step towards legalising this cheese-making tradition and enhancing economic wellbeing, particularly of female producers.
This video-clip was produced as part of ther4d programme Digital Storytellers synthesis project.Its contents were filmed and selected by Adriana Bessa from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Andrea Tecchio, Aymara Llanque and Esequiel Giaretta. The digital storytelling process was accompanied and supported byPaitití Lab.Watch on YouTube.
