De feirante a empreendedor: avaliação do potencial socioeconômico do setor de alimentação da feira do Vêr-o-peso.

Abstract

The Ver-o-Peso complex houses an architectural and landscape complex formed by markets and fairs in which we find a diversity of products, services and people. The fair is, above all, a place of intense social life and cultural exchange, involving activities of a commercial but also symbolic nature. This research aimed to contribute to understand the dimension of the offer of ready-to-eat foods at the fair by the cattle farmers in Ver-o-Peso (by the marketer's profile) and, on the demand side, reveal the significant attributes that influence consumption decisions. At first, through face-to-face interviews in public places with large circulation of people in the city of Belém, and at another stage with self-administered questionnaires by the Google Docs platform, aimed at open fair consumers. The second stage of the research included the application of a semi-structured questionnaire with open and closed questions, aimed at the cattle in Ver-o-Peso and a checklist for field observations. It was observed that the food sector (cattle) at the Ver-o-Peso fair is one of the sectors most sought after by consumers, second only to the horticultural sector, due to the tradition of eating at the fair and in search of typical dishes among they the fried fish with açaí. However, the issues of infrastructure, hygiene and safety are negative points according to consumers and consequently prevent other customers from attending the fair, despite its strengths of diversity, tourist attractiveness and food marketing, the improvement of weaknesses should be valued by marketers and the government, to strengthen the image of the fair and businesses and the food safety of consumers. As for the socioeconomic condition of the cattle, three levels of activity were identified (high, medium and low, to help identify establishments that over time have invested in innovation and qualification to improve the enterprise and its profitability. However, most marketers presented low level of management in the productive and financial process of the business, providing little investment in capital goods, as well as the low level of cooperation between the cattle, which weakens the expansion and success of the activity. sanitary conditions of the tents that in most cases are not in accordance with the Good Food Handling Practices, lacking inspection by the public administration, as well as the implementation of public credit policies to adapt and encourage the cattle enterprise.