Comida (que se) extraña: notes on the production of food insecurity in the Northern border of Brazil

Abstract

This article analyzes the production of food insecurity experienced by Venezuelan migrants in northern Brazil, in the context of the so-called “humanitarian crisis” that began in 2015. Based on empirical data collected in 2019 and 2020 in Roraima, Amazonas, and Pará—through interviews, surveys, and participant observation—the study reveals the limitations of the assistance model led by the Brazilian military and international agencies. While shelters provide three daily meals, the research highlights issues such as low nutritional quality, repetitive menus, cultural mismatches, and the lack of autonomy in food choices. The article critically examines the dominant narrative of a “migration crisis,” arguing that it serves mechanisms of control and labor exploitation, especially within Brazil’s agribusiness sector. It advocates for more dignified and participatory approaches that empower migrants in their access to food and integration into society.