The PAA is a programme through which the Brazilian government buy the product of smallholders and uses those products to serve free or low cost meals in public institutions like schools. The PAA also supports the formation of stocks, with products from small farmers, for food security purposes. The National School Feeding Programme (PNAE), created in 2009, stipulates that at least 30% of the food served in public schools must be bought from small producers (based on the MDA definition).