Objective:

To develop an approach for food vulnerability analysis incorporating the three basic components of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity.

Methodology:

There was calculated and analyzed the magnitude of the food vulnerability on the basis of three components of vulnerability expressed in indexes: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The index of adaptive capacity was represented by capitals: human, financial, physical, social and natural. The indicators used were related to the elements of food security; availability, access, stability and utilization.

Results:

20.72 % of the population were identified as high or very high food vulnerability index.

Limitations:

The statistical information about the persons and families benefited by the support programs was dispersed.

Conclusions:

Through the application of this approach, it was identified that financial capital, which considers transfers through support programs derived from social policies, reduces food vulnerability in the municipalities under study.