This extreme-right era left a tangible mark on Brazilian life, especially on one of the most basic needs: food. Data from the Brazilian Food Sovereignty and Security Research Network, known as Penssan, show a troubling reality. About 15.5% of Brazilians faced hunger, a rise of nine percentage points since 2018. In other words, roughly 33 million people were contending with the fear of not having enough to eat on a regular basis, a pressure that weighs heavily on daily life and future prospects alike. The picture reveals a nation where the simple act of obtaining a meal can become precarious for many families, reinforcing the urgency of policy action and social safety nets that can stand up to economic shocks and political shifts.
