Agroecological foods bringing people together and changing attitudes SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND ACTIONS TO NURTURE LIFE!
Centro de Tecnologias Alternativas Populares Photos: Josué Vicente Gregório - General Coordinator CETAP Archive Neura Grando dos Santos - Treasurer Graphic Design and layout: Pablo Rissardi Baldin - Secretary MDA Comunicação Integrada Fiscal Council: Ademir Antonio Pertile, Rudimar Barea e Vanderlei Finatto Printing: August 2020 Edson Klein - Executive Coordinator Support: Giovani Gonçalves - Technical Coordinator Inter-American Foundation (IAF) Ana Nascimento - Administrative Coordinator Technical and Support Team: Albenir Concolatto, Alvir Longhi, Anderson Munarini, Camila Bortolini, Cintia Gris, Cintia Melo, Cladivania Germany, Danilo Nunes, Emelson dos Santos, Guilherme de Souza, Josiane Both, Lauro Foschiera, Lídia Figuero, Marcelo Araujo, Mario Gusson, Paulo Pereira, Rudian Martini e Tiago Fedrizzi Sharing achievements and what was learnt
n this magazine we will talk Iabout food supply based on the production and commer- cialization of agroecological foods, which is regulated in Brazil by Law 10.831, of 2003. We want to share the jour- ney taken by farming fami- lies in the regions where the Center for Popular Alterna- tive Technologies - CETAP having a large communica- ties. In this sense, the impor- Edson Klein shares actions operates, as well as our main tion structure? How to con- tance of articulation and carried out by achievements and some les- solidate this relationship of partnership between the CETAP in a sons learned. trust and maintain a con- di erent sectors and organi- meeting with stant dialogue between pro- zations is highlighted. consumers, The pioneers of agroeco- cooperatives and logical food production were ducers and consumers? The Many of the actions car- advisory farming families that, in ad- journey taken, and summa- ried out by CETAP had the organizations in dition to cultivating the rized below, presents some the area of decisive support of interna- agroecology. land, challenged themselves suggestions for these and so tional cooperation entities, (mar/2019) to seek new marketing many other questions that during the di erent stages spaces, which most of the are part of the important mis- and historical moments of time happens directly, re- sion of producing sustain- this construction. In particu- sulting in a very rich process able food, contributing to the lar, we would like to high- of integration between pro- environmental rebalancing light the support received ducers and consumers. This of agro-ecosystems and their from the Inter-American stimulates new dialogues, ecological functionalities, so Foundation (IAF) from the balances interests and estab- that they are accessible beginning of our trajectory lishes partnerships between through cooperation be- and in the construction of those who produce, those tween the di erent actors, several of the actions pre- who o er and those who seek boosting local development sented here, which included healthier food, coming from based on the principles of sol- the “Project to support the more sustainable dynamics. idarity economy. structuring and consolida- This process, however, is We started with a brief tion of new dynamics of local also very challenging. How presentation of CETAP, high- supply, strengthening the do you win over new follow- lighting the work developed sovereignty and local econo- ers for this proposal without and the regions it covers. An- mies in the northern region having great resources for ad- other point addressed is the of the state of RS”. vertising? What strategies to sale of ecological foods and use to increase sales and iden- the expansion of processing Edson Klein tify new demands, without and distribution opportuni- (Executive Coordinator of CETAP) CETAP team at an evaluation and planning meeting (Dec / 2019)
ing of farming families, it en- courages the diversified pro- duction of healthy food, con- tributing to food and nutri- tional safety and to the qual- ity of life of people, based on collective marketing dynam- ics and articulated with the urban public. To carry out the pro- grammed activities, the entity has a multidisciplinary team that designs and executes pro- CETAP jects that are supported by co- operative’s and similar entities (national and international) he Center for Popular Al- strengthening of social orga- and/or by municipal, state and Tternative Technologies - nizations. federal public bodies. Partner- CETAP is a Civil Society Orga- With more than 30 years ships are made with various nization (CSO), created in of operation, CETAP has stim- organizations and entities 1986, whose main objective ulated the development of formed in forums and net- is to encourage farmers to sustainable agriculture, works, such as: Ecovida adopt technological formats based on the principles of Agroecology Network; Terra for the production of agroecology and the role of do Futuro - Latin America Ar- agroecological foods, using those who carry it out. It oper- ticulation; Ana - National technologies and practices ates through technical and Agroecology Articulation; that reduce environmental socio-environmental assis- MAELA - Latin American and costs and impacts and enable tance and training activities, Caribbean Agroecological the viability and continuity of an educational and cul- Movement; Consortium of of families in the mission of tural nature, which contrib- NGOs from RS; ABONG - Bra- producing food. ute to the development and zilian Association of NGOs; Considered to be a public implementation of agricul- CPORG - Organic Production utility, the entity provides ture that is suitable to socio- Commission of Rio Grande do advisory services for the de- cultural, economic and eco- Sul; Alliance for Adequate and fense and guarantee of logical conditions, aiming to Healthy Eating, among others. rights, training, qualifica- eliminate the social and envi- CETAP's activities are tion and promotion of citi- ronmental problems caused based on institutional pro- zenship, striving for the by the di erent types of agro- grams that guide fundrais- opening of spaces and op- chemical production pro- ing as well as the unity of ac- portunities for the exercise cesses. Always devoting spe- tions developed by the tech- of active citizenship and cial attention to the monitor- nicians. PROGRAMS OBJECTIVES These programs are con- Support for ecological Pr omo ng ecological agriculture and the Par cipatory Guarantee produc on with the stantly improving, seeking System (PGS) cer fica on as a process of improving food and par cipa on of women nutri onal quality, genera ng income, as an op on for life to ensure that the work and young people and sustainable development. developed by CETAP is in Promo on and Promo ng ac ons that can trigger processes of valoriza on line with social demands conserva on of and the use of socio-biodiversity in a perspec ve and with the changes that socio-biodiversity of complementarity and harmony. occur from time to time. The Commercializa on To strengthen regional strategies and spaces for the supply food commercialization and approxima on and commercializa on of ecological food, s mula ng the process, for example, has between rural approxima on between rural and urban as well as promo ng been expanding its spaces and urban conscious and responsible consump on. Strengthen the ins tu onalism of Civil Society and opportunities and Inter-ins tu onal Organiza ons (CSOs), especially CETAP, working in a network thereby posing other chal- ar cula on and to increase poli cal influence, ensuring sustainability coopera on lenges for the team, such as and governance. mediation between farmers, Strengthening the ins tu onalism of CETAP, crea ng mechanisms Ins tu onal consumers, enterprises, for ar cula on, construc on and qualifica on of internal processes management and public authorities and other and human resources; qualifying communica on and management strengthening social organizations. of the available resources aiming at financial sustainability.
A little bit more about the journey - main aspects
In its origin, CETAP's priority actions were technical and socio-organizational, encouraging farming families to experi- ment and adopt other technological for- mats in their agricultural production, ones that use practices with low environmental impact, valuing biodiversity, encouraging organization, cooperation and the exchange of information, experiences and knowledge among farming families, based on agroecological principles and seeking support from partner entities. As a result of the increase in the produc- tion of some groups, CETAP was challenged to assist in opening channels for the sale of the ecological foods produced by farmers and, thus, spaces and di erent forms and organizations were created to make ecolog- ical foods available to the population. The principles of direct farmer- consumer relations, action research, exper- imentation, cooperation and partnerships guided the steps to start the first actions to o er ecological food to the population, with the creation of a direct selling fair in the city of Passo Fundo. For this journey, CETAP became involved ken with di erent social actors and pre- in the theme, acting as an agent of motiva- sented a development project with the pur- tion, guidance, mediation and organization pose of producing quality food that is accessi- of the farming families and of the aspects ble to all families, in addition to discussions needed for the act of commercialization to on the preservation of natural resources that take place, such as: a continuous production are essential for the survival of many species, plan, infrastructure (transportation, tables, including humans. tents, scales ...), food presentation, pricing In the spaces we participate in, we con- table and policy, packaging, advertising tribute to these ideas being disseminated and among others. While at the other end, to also socialized, but unfortunately this does not show customers that the food was produced mean that we easily win over many fans. In without the use of pesticides and other recent decades, the theoretical accumulation inputs that are harmful to people's health of the ecological agriculture proposal has and the environment. expanded and amplified its narrative in Evaluation meetings were constantly several social segments, with an emphasis on held to reflect on the existing barriers, from the educational environment at all levels. the perception of the farmers as well as the This allows us to confirm that society has proposals/suggestion of the fair's customers, been discussing ecological production more, and, together, to define actions to overcome as well as the need to take more care of the them. quality of food and the preservation of the The commercialization process, in addi- environment. tion to providing learning opportunities, The acceptance of the discourse in helped to integrate farmers and consumers social spheres does not mean, however, through agroecological agriculture, healthy that there is a corresponding food and conscious consumption. These are implementation of concrete practices in food production and consumption practices that strengthen the discussion on food and ecological agriculture, but it indicates nutritional safety, the journey through sus- less resistance, just as in the early days tainable rural development is in line with the of the alternative agriculture proposal. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Thus, there is still a huge gap between the United Nations (UN). theoretical understanding and concrete actions needed to transform reality. There Ecological agriculture generates are many references created showing the development with inclusion and viability of ecological agriculture and this needs to be expanded and massified for all of responsibility society. Knowledge is a fundamental factor for each person to be able to act in order to In discussions regarding ecological agri- change their reality. Consumers play an culture, we have always been concerned with important role in defining needs and involving and strengthening the organiza- demanding the quality of the food being pro- tions of farmers and consumers so that the duced and consumed, as this directly a ects proposal takes root, strengthens and consoli- their health and quality of life. Thus, a close dates itself. We encourage the organization of relationship between farmers and consumers fairs, local, state and regional networks, of is imperative for the proposal of ecological NGO Consortiums, Rede Ecovida and inter- production to evolve and expand as a sustain- national cooperation, as a way to enhance able development strategy for this and for the and strengthen this proposal. We have spo- next generations. Direct commercialization of agroecological foods
The start of time, had no experience in sales, farmers were not moti- commercialization processes vated. After three months, commercialization and had limited knowledge the fair became a biweekly through the about supply spaces and event, but this did not Passo Fundo their specificities. increase the demand as expected. Therefore, it was Ecological Fair Based on the reflections regarding this challenge and decided to relocate the fair to visits made to the Redenção another space with greater The start of CETAP's jour- Ecological Fair (Porto public visibility, being ney, more specifically in the Alegre), it was decided to moved to the center island of early 1990s, was dedicated to start a direct selling fair in the main avenue in the city - encouraging farming famili- the city of Passo Fundo/RS, Avenida Brasil. es to adopt ecological far- which started in 1998. The transfer to the loca- ming technologies and prac- Firstly, the fair was held once tion with greater public visi- tices, it motivated some fami- a month, located on a piece of bility led to an increase in lies which started to produce land provided by Cáritas consumers at the fair and di erently and, from this Diocesana de Passo Fundo, it enabled the expansion of production, demanded sup- o ered consumers some sales, which in turn, moti- port to help carry out the agroecological foods grown vated the expansion of pro- commercialization of the Passo and o ered by three groups duction and the supply of Fundo/RS products. The main question of families. On the eve of the food by the farmers. The fair Ecological was: where do we sell what fairs, advertising was carried has become a space for Fair held at we produce? Such questio- Praça da out through radio and news- direct sales, dialogues, Mãe, on the ning was extremely challen- papers, however, attendance learning and fostering new city's main ging, because CETAP, at the avenue. was low and there were few opportunities. (2006/2007) Farmers acquired new skills and consumers began to unders- tand the importance of food diver- sity and it being produced in an ecological way and o ered directly by those who produced it. In this context, the role of CETAP was to monitor the organization of far- mers and the produce being o e- red, in addition to promoting the dissemination and integration actions between the farmers and consumers, providing them with opportunities to exchange infor- Sananduva Organic Diversity Meeting (2016) mation, expanding the learning of the parties and the demands for agroecological foods, which in turn, motivated the expansion of production. The work was always carried out in conjunction with partner entities, councils and public managers, seeking support for these ways of producing and o ering food.
Promoting fairs in the region As a consequence of the process carried out by the Passo Fundo
Celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the Passo Fundo/RS Ecological Fair (2018) Ecological Fair, new fairs were emerging in municipalities in the region where CETAP operates, and where there are farmers who pro- duce ecological food. The fairs, in addition to spaces for supply, also function as a meeting point for food and people, providing lear- ning opportunities for those who produce and consume food. Cur- rently, there are 11 ecological fairs distributed in the municipalities where CETAP operates.
Inauguration of the Pé na Terra Fair - Sananduva/RS (2018) Expanding commercialization opportunities for agroecological products
uring the first two de- Dcades of the existence of ecological fairs, other sup- ply spaces were being cre- ated. Among them, we can mention sales to schools, res- taurants, specialized stores, small markets, food deliver- ies at home, sales to various events and sales channels. In the first years of the Zero Hunger programs (imple- mented by the Federal Gov- ernment), agroecological foods were donated to low- income families and entities that provide social services, such as associations, day- care centers and nursing Ecological Dinners are homes. Agroecological foods is still low, considering the to- events that help with the Thus, the farmers were in schools tal volume of acquisition of these foods in Brazil. We envi- dissemination of acquiring expertise in the food and in the area and expanding the sion the possibility of signifi- integration The supply of agroe- cantly increasing the supply between farmers, spaces to sell food. This pro- organizations, cological foods in the Na- gram also made it possible of these foods in school meals, public tional School Meals Program authorities and for organizations to carry provided that some limits re- (PNAE), and in other institu- lated to the lack of under- consumers. out exchanges between Photo: Ecological tional markets, helped to those who produced the standing and awareness of Dinner in boost the production and many managers about the pro- Aratiba/RS food and those who re- (2019) commercialization of these ceived food donations, as a ductive aspects (seasonality, foods, becoming a strategic way of valuing those who weather conditions) and the market especially for farmers produce, but also so that importance of these foods in starting their journey in farming families could get the promotion of food and nu- agroecology. However, the to know more about the real- trition safety are overcome. amount of students who have ity of those receiving the Added to this is the need to access to agroecological foods food. improve the infrastructure conditions of schools, to overcome di culties Delivery to restaurants in storage and preparation of foods that ar- rive fresh or have been minimally processed, Some restaurants want and purchase and also the need for encouragement and sup- agroecological foods to o er healthy meals to port for processing units (managed by farm- customers. There are restaurants that use ing families, cooperatives and associations or agroecological foods as an attraction. Still partners) so they can o er food with greater little explored due to the need for logistics practicality in preparation and consumption. for frequent (daily) deliveries, we believe We emphasize that school meals are also that this market presents possibilities for ex- an opportunity to spread adequate and pansion. These spaces have a tendency to healthy food among schoolchildren, em- move towards ready-made foods, which can phasizing the importance of food diversity be served requiring little time on the part of and seasonal, regional and agroecological the cooks, which also requires an improve- foods in promoting healthier, more respon- ment in the structures of the farming fami- sible and sustainable food consumption. Bet- lies. This pre-processing is an alternative to ting on the supply of agroecological food in be created and discussed in partnership with schools is an investment that includes edu- urban enterprises that can have a close rela- cational, social, environmental and eco- tionship with farmers and create income al- nomic aspects. ternatives.
Utopia Restaurant (Sananduva/RS) receives agroecological products directly from farmers Stores specializing in the sale of who do not have time for commercialization agroecological foods as well as the demands of consumers, who want to have more safety in the origin and quality of their food. Thus, they generate em- They are shops that o er agroecological ployment and income opportunities, giving foods. They are managed by people or fami- greater visibility to agroecological foods. lies who know the importance of these foods and how these foods are produced, and they maintain permanent contact with producer Markets and supplier farming families. Some markets seek, together with ecolog- Although the relationship between farm- ical families, to purchase agroecological ers and urban people is not direct, the owners foods to o er in their establishments to at- end up carrying out some mediation in favor tract their customers. This possibility has of agroecological and local foods. It can be been tested by farming families, who are ad- said that, although still insignificant in rela- vancing in the production process, looking tion to the volumes traded, they are partner- more closely at the regularity, seasonality ships that make it possible to reduce the in- and diversity of foods to make up their sup- volvement of the farmer in marketing, since ply mix. These spaces do show a possibility of the farmers need to dedicate themselves to growth, but there is also a need for logistics the production process. It is a partnership for frequent delivery. It also allows for the that can be gradually expanded, aiming at flow of a significant quantity and a diversity food supply. of products. These are spaces that challenge These stores end up being an important families to have greater and better produc- mediating alternative, as they provide a ser- tion planning to be able to o er and maintain vice that meets the wishes of farming families their participation in supplying these spaces.
Araçá - Agroecological products store in Erechim/RS (2020) Home delivered food
Marketing through food being delivered at home is an interesting alternative for people who want agroecological food, but are unable to attend fairs or other spaces that o er these foods. For farmers, commercialization with periodic deliveries presents itself as being economically safe and as a strategy to reduce waste. Only those prod- ucts corresponding to sales will be harvested and production can be organized according to the aver- age of orders and deliveries. Preparation of baskets for deliveries (Erechim/RS - 2020) Although deliveries require considerable time on the part of the farmers, they enable the parties to make adjustments and make quick arrangements for food quality or new customer demands. Direct contact allows for evaluations and possible adapta- tions, which can be attended to quickly in the next delivery. It produces dialogues with those who con- sume the products, creating a bond of credibility and possibilities for expanding demands. It is com- mon for farmers to make their production units available to consumer groups who want to know how food is produced and the aspects involved, from seed and soil care to food preparation and delivery.
Home delivery of agroecological foods (Sananduva/RS - 2019) Event sales
Sales at various events is another opportunity for marketing agroecological foods. There are lunches, dinners, cocktail parties that use agroecological foods, some have defined annual cal- endars, while others are done according to demand. Many with the intention of being festive moments to celebrate and publicize the flavors and results obtained. There are events that aim to raise aware- ness among people (children, youth and adults), rep- resentatives of entities and public managers, where food from producer families is o ered for tasting. At social events such as parties, cocktail parties, wed- dings and others, agroecological foods are gradually gaining space, also as a way of valuing local produc- tion by families belonging to the communities them-
Cocktail party with agroecological products, showing o new uses and selves. dishes (Aratiba/RS - 2019) The promotion of native socio-biodiversity and the challenge of new commercialization dynamics
Agroforestry iodiversity is one of the pillars of the con- vated the intensification of the work done System Area Bstruction, promotion and consolidation of with biodiverse agroforestry systems in the (SAF) certified agroecology in its di erent dimensions: pro- early 2000s. At the time, two major struc- by SEMA/RS Vacaria/RS duction, social organization, processing and tural axes were chosen that still remain today: (2020) commercialization. Thus, the conservation and use of socio-biodiversity, as well as the con- Implementation and management struction of logistics for the commercialization of agroforestry systems of this biodiversity, are the focus of our actions. Qualifying agroecological systems, mak- CETAP, since its origin, has devoted spe- ing them more complex in their arrange- cial attention to the rescue and use of species ments, expanding their ecological functional- from socio-biodiversity and traditional agri- ity and restoring their resilience. To present culture. Intense work was done with creole production and income generation alterna- seeds, such as corn, beans, peas, popcorn, tives, associated with environmental conser- wheat, strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, vation strategies. among others. The promotion and conserva- tion of creole seeds and their products has gradually resulted in the maturity and a Valorization and use of native better understanding of the theme, present- fruits ing new challenges for the qualification of Promote the valorization and use of native agroecological production systems and food species, with special attention to native expanding the food and nutritional diversity fruits, as a way to expand the food and nutri- of families. tional base of the population. In this sense, the The search for more sustainable ecologi- implementation of Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) cal-based agricultural food systems moti- cannot be based on the use of exotic species. Creation of the “Encontro de Sabores” (Meeting of Flavors) to promote the development and commercialization of products from the local socio-biodiversity
The good acceptance of have a regional actor that volves having urban part- the implementation of SAFs was dedicated exclusively to ners that operate processing and the growing use of na- working with the perspec- and distribution logistics. In tive fruits in the early 2000s tive of articulating the logis- short, the operationalization drove the need to create com- tics of storage, processing of a productive chain needs mercialization alternatives and marketing of native to be built and promoted by for these products. The con- fruit products, within a logic both rural and urban actors. crete exercise of commer- of complementarity and syn- It was from these motiva- cialization was a way of dem- ergy with the other actions tions that the “Encontro de onstrating to farming fami- of the production chain. In Sabores” was born, in 2007. lies that the long-awaited the idealization of an enter- The headquarters of generation of income from prise with this function, we the “Encontro de Sabores” native species was possible. understand that this actor project is located in the On the other hand, it also should be in the urban space, city of Passo Fundo/RS, made it possible for con- with the purpose of demon- and has an agribusiness of sumer families to have ac- strating that the actions of native fruit products, in ad- cess to this type of product, agroecology, in the case of dition to having the infra- normally neglected in the native fruits, was an element structure needed for stor- traditional market. that could also boost the gen- age and distribution of In this scenario, we initi- eration of jobs and income in products. It also has a ware- ated several reflection ses- the urban space. house for collecting and dis- Collection of native fruits in sions, internally, with the It is important to note tributing products in the Coxilha/RS and CETAP team, as well as with that we do not see cities as city of Vacaria/RS. processing at our audience, to evaluate the just being a market. We un- Encontro de best strategy to be followed. derstand that implementing Over time, the “Encontro Sabores, in Passo de Sabores” experienced Fundo / RS We concluded that it would new formats of food produc- (2019) be extremely important to tion and distribution in- di erent challenges. In the initial phase, we demand. Solutions have been party services and in the faced a lack of knowledge sought through joint planning preparation of dinners. As a about pulping techniques, with producer families and member of the Solidary the appropriate equipment groups regarding the volumes Chain of Native Fruits, “En- and adequate space needed delivered, as well as agree- contro de Sabores” sells in to carry out the work. ments on payment commit- di erent markets, such as: These di culties were ments, through dialogue and fixed points of sale, agroeco- overcome with continuous greater harmony between the logical food fairs, stalls at tests, exchanges of infor- Solidarity Chain of Native events, cocktail parties and mation and the raising of Fruits, diversification of dinners. funds necessary to make products o ered and market- The initiative to create adjustments to the work- ing channels, in addition to an urban enterprise, such as space. New challenges were intensifying marketing. the “Encontro de Sabores”, presented in the instability In 2020, “Encontro de associated with the actions of the o er and in the qua- Sabores” stimulates the mar- developed by CETAP, later lity of the fruits and the keting of products from an resulted in a state articula- pulp delivered by the far- approximate set of 150 fami- tion that allowed native ming families. In this sen- lies of farmers who are fruits and agroforestry to se, technical advisory and involved in the collection of start, in fact, to be seen in a motivation work done with pine nuts, butia, guava, di erent light by di erent families and groups, carri- uvaia, strawberry guava, segments of society. This ed out by CETAP, contribu- açaí and jabuticaba Juçara, process has served as a basis ted decisively to greater in addition to the production for supporting debates and stability in the supply and of pulps in di erent rural defining strategies and Processing and in the quality of the pulps communities in the Moun- actions in other agroecology storage of native and fruits. fruits and pulps tain, Coastal, Alto Uruguai networks, especially within at Encontro de In recent years, “Encon- and Planalto do Rio Grande the scope of the Ecovida Net- Sabores tro de Sabores” has found do Sul regions. Seven more work of Agroecology, where Passo Fundo/RS. variations between the vol- families are also involved in this topic has been gaining Cocktail party with ume of pulp and fruit supply the preparation of 25 di er- visibility and expression agroecological and the volume of product ent types of food, for cocktail during recent years. food served at the event. (2019) Solidarity productive chain of native fruits
he Solidary Productive logical field and the TChain of Native Fruits of economic solidarity the State of RS (CSFN) in- are integrated and volves a wide range of audi- participate, who sha- ences and initiatives, being re a set of principles one of the newest and most and collectively bu- promising articulations of ild operational agre- the agroecological field in ements several territories of Rio CSFN members Grande do Sul, not only be- seek to implement a cause of the theme it pro- food production, processing poses to work with, but by ge of and added value to and distribution format that the production of pulp the structural form of its op- encourages the conservation eration. from other fruits available of local socio-biodiversity. in di erent regions, such The proposal for the They also implement a dy- as: blackberry, citrus, man- structuring of this chain be- namic where workers are the go, passion fruit and gan in 2011, when the State protagonists of the di erent strawberry. Secretary for Economic Soli- phases of this “system”, re- ¥ The volume produced, pro- darity and Support for Micro lating in an integrated man- cessed and sold reached and Small Enterprises ner, with a complementarity 40 tons in 2019, ready for (SESAMPE), after knowing perspective. consumption, including more about the work develo- pulps and derived pro- ped by CETAP and Encontro ductss. de Sabores, it identified that The production and the construction strategy of distribution structure ¥ In general, commerciali- a productive chain articula- zation takes place through ted between the rural and the Solidary Chain of Nati- ¥ the urban should make up There are more than 40 ve Fruits’ chain of partner one of the six Productive Cha- products made from nati- actors, in more than 40 ins of Economic Solidarity ve fruits. Among them, we di erent commercial spa- that the Secretariat was wil- highlight: frozen pulp, ces, in addition to the sea- ling to promote at a state le- popsicles, juices, ice cre- sonal distribution of nati- vel. In summary, we can say am, baked goods, cookies, ve fruit popsicles, juices that CSFN is an organizatio- pasties, puddings, mous- for events and cocktail par- nal dynamic where diverse ses and pies. ties, frozen products for organizations, networks, ¥ In addition to boosting na- bakeries, restaurants and companies, actors and arti- tive fruits, the productive fairs in which groups and culations from the agroeco- units have taken advanta- enterprises participated. Price policy This 20-year journey on this theme and, in particular, that of the last decade, based on the ¥ Since 2011, one of the central con- dynamics of the Solidary Chain of Native Fruits cerns of the Solidary Productive of RS, has generated many lessons, which has allo- Chain of Native Fruits is to keep wed us to point out important issues in the struc- the process of income generation turing and dynamization of agroecological pro- and management open, transpa- ductive chains which are articulated and mana- rent and based on values that are ged by di erent actors, both from a logistical and fair to all its members. economic point of view.
¥ In the process of economic mana- Among the lessons learned, we can say that it gement, the principles of econo- is extremely important to build food systems mic solidarity must prevail. that are articulated between rural and urban ini- ¥ This work is a permanent chal- tiatives, that is, the countryside and the city lenge, which requires adjust- need, together, to think about and implement ments and adaptations that new formats of food production and distribu- vary according to the specific tion. This is important, since it is still quite com- context in which the di erent mon, when discussing agroecology, to have the projects that make up the chain idea that farmers are the only actors in this pro- are located. cess. ¥ The price policy follows the same Undoubtedly, the rural is an important part percentage of result/profit in the of this movement for obvious reasons; however, di erent stages, for the di erent the urban universe needs to get involved and “actors” involved, from producti- boost actions with a complementary logic. In ad- on to the point of sale. dition to issues related to flows, we can consis- Expanded Regional tently boost the proposal of agroecology to gen- ¥ The proposal is to operate with Meeting of the erate jobs and income in cities, involving several an “open spreadsheet” system, Solidary Chain workers and thereby making supply networks of Native for the formation of costs and sa- more agile and e cient. Perhaps this is our Fruits in les prices, considering the collec- Vacaria/RS, greatest challenge now: to expand partnerships tive construction of the “fair pri- for planning with urban sectors in order to increase the num- and setting the ce” for each stage of the process. ber of enterprises involved in this work. price policy (2020) The southern food circulation circuit of the Ecovida Network
iable collective dyna- The di erent regions logization” of the properties. Vmics for the commercia- where CETAP operates are It is based on this reality that lization of agroecological fo- made up, in most cases, of CETAP and other partner ods on a larger scale, benefi- small municipalities, where marketing organizations dis- ting a greater number of far- the organization of some fa- cuss the construction of new ming families, especially in milies or local groups, even formats, considering, in a relation to the logistics of without a very significant special way, three aspects: transporting the products to number, are able to supply local experiences already consumption centers, are re- the fairs and other alternati- consolidated; the growing curring challenges to be over- ve marketing formats. The- demand for agroecological
Ecovida come. To this end, farming refore, the construction of foods and the increase in the Agroecology families, production and ad- broader proposals, which al- number of farming families Network group visory organizations linked low for the entry of a greater seeking to enter into new mo- conducts an inspection visit to the Ecovida Agroecology number of families, which dels of production and com- to renew the Network, including CETAP, can collectively reach di e- mercialization, which make organic have joined together in the rent consumption spaces, is it possible for them to rema- production certification. search for alternatives to something indispensable for in on the properties in a dig- Três Arroios/RS overcome these challenges. the advance of the “agroeco- nified manner. (2018) The ECOTERRA Association's initiative to seek new links
In the early 2000s, far- ming families associated with ECOTERRA (Regional Association for Cooperation and Agroecology), which is based in the municipality of Três Arroios/RS, were losing part of their production, as the local market was not ab- sorbing the quantity produ- ced. Initially, dialogue was Opening of sought with the markets and ¤ Regional Association for directly at the ECOTERRA the Ecoterra Pavilion in the public authorities of the station in Três Arroios/RS, Cooperation and Agroeco- Três Arroios/RS municipalities in the region, logy (ECOTERRA), in Três where it directly accompa- (2018) so that they could absorb Arroios/RS; nies 100 farming families. this production. However, ¤ Association for the Deve- The performance of the new demands created we- lopment of Agroecology CETAP in the technical- re not enough. This situation (AOPA), Curitiba/PR; productive, organizational provoked the debate to build ¤ Cooperativa Ecoserra, and flow guidance together a commercialization process from Lages/SC; with ECOTERRA allows for for other urban centers, with ¤ Cooperafloresta Associa- an increase in the number of a larger population. The next tion, Barra do Turvo/SP. families involved, with the step was to join a dynamic consequent increase in the that articulated actors from The initiative mobilizes diversity and the volume of the Agroecology Ecovida Net- technical advisory, produc- food produced. work in di erent states. Ho- tion, collection, logistics, dis- wever, the demand was still tribution and marketing or- This dynamic seeks ganizations of agroecologi- low, not being expressive of cal foods in the states of Rio to make the the association's possibilities Grande do Sul, Santa Catari- commercialization of of supply. na, Paraná and São Paulo. agroecological foods In 2006, from a demand Articulation with networks collectively viable, to supply fairs, fixed points in other states is already in expanding direct sales, in and restaurants in Curi- the process of consolidation. an organized manner and tiba/PR, an articulation for The Southern Circuit invol- with fairer prices, the exchange and sale of ves more than 1,600 families considering the real of ecologist family farmers, agroecological foods began. production costs of Thus, the Southern Circuit in addition to several advi- sory organizations which families, plus the costs of process began, based on a operate in the di erent sta- organization and logistics, partnership between advi- ges, from the production presenting a final price sory and marketing organi- process to the final con- that does not exploit those zations: sumption. CETAP operates who consume the products. “make ecological farming Preparation and families viable, which today loading of organic food in are excluded from the pro- Ecoterra trucks ductive, technical and con- that perform the ventional system, as they do logistics of the Southern Circuit not have enough land or in- of the Ecovida vestment capital. With pro- Agroecology duction planning and fair Network prices, we show that ecologi- (2020) cal agriculture can indeed produce large quantities of food, to help improve soci- ety's food quality”.
Spaces accessed by the circuit: The exchange and circu- ons, who becomes responsi- ¤ Agroecological fairs lation of food between the ble for systematizing the de- ¤ Public sector institutional regions allowed the ECO- mands and requests between programs (PNAE) TERRA station to increase the partners involved in dis- ¤ the diversity of food o ered. tribution and marketing, fol- Small markets At the beginning of the pro- lowing a production plan ma- ¤ Restaurants and specialty cess, there was food in grea- de with the involved farming shops ter quantity - the Valencia families. ¤ Cooperatives and consu- orange. Today, more than 70 The circulation of food is mer groups foods are o ered, on a regu- carried out the farmer’s ¤ Direct sale on the pro- lar basis, in larger quantities trucks and vehicles as well as perty (rural tourism) and with guaranteed sales. organizations that, from the ¤ Sale at events in rural In our region of operation, stations, carry out the ex- communities and the Eco- the guarantee of agroecolo- change of food on the vida Agroecology Net- gical production takes place planned routes. Approxi- work through the participatory mately every 45 days, there is One of the criteria built certification issued by the a face-to-face meeting be- collectively is that each stati- ECOVIDA Agroecology Asso- tween the stations, when rep- on has autonomy in organi- ciation. resentatives of the farming zing its local partnerships families and advisory organi- for production and commer- Dynamics zations make decisions about cialization. However, the organization price formation, planning, stations that are involved logistics, organization of The dynamics of the cir- and active in the circuit have o ers, demands and financial cuit are organized into “stati- priority in the delivery and arrangements. ons”, which correspond to the purchase of food from the local organizations involved The representatives of other stations. It is worth in the collective manage- the ECOTERRA station point mentioning that all foods ment. These organizations out that the objective of the that circulate in these dyna- nominate a person for direct work in the Alto Uruguai re- mics are agroecological, and contact with the other stati- gion of Rio Grande do Sul is to certified. Ecovida Agroecology Network group Generating credibility holds meetings with families of farmers during through collective participation the inspection for the certification of organic SPGs (Participatory production. This construction and its need to build partnerships Três Arroios/RS Guarantee Systems) consolidation involves and articulations that pro- (2018) Agroecology, through di erent actors, from rural mote more transparent and healthy food, income gene- and urban areas, who need participatory processes, ration and a methodology to to expand their dialogue and with the objective of o er- connect people in di erent define strategies in di erent ing a guarantee and credi- dynamics, has gained fields: political, technologi- bility to ecological produc- strength in today’s society. cal, economic and social. tion. An increasing portion of the Despite the fact that food CETAP is part of the population seeks food and is present in our daily lives, Ecovida Agroecology Net- products identified with we rarely ask ourselves what work which, together with socio-environmental res- we are putting on our table, other organizations in ponsibility and health pro- that is, where does the food southern Brazil, over the motion. At the same time, we we eat daily come from? years has developed a still have many challenges, How and by whom were they method called Participatory which go beyond awareness, produced? How far did they Certification. However, with production, processing and travel and how were they the approval of the National distribution of agroecologi- transported to my table? Law that regulates organic cal foods. What is the purpose of those production in Brazil (Law The process of building a who produced, transported Nº. 10,831, of 2003), this new food system, based on and sold them? Who were process became known as agroecology and on sus- the biggest beneficiaries in tainability, requires a partic- this process? These ques- Participatory Guaran- ipatory credibility model. tions help us understand the tee Systems – SPGs. It is extremely important based on the practices of fami- Things learnt to streamline a process that lies and agroecological groups - demonstrates, in an open and the implementation of a collec- The dynamics built for transparent way, how the tive system of generation and the SPGs have helped to crea- various stages of production, credibility, which came to te mechanisms for the parti- processing and distribution strengthen the relationship cipation and organization of of agroecological foods are between those who produce families, which significantly carried out, generating credi- and those who consume food. strengthens some points, bility between those who such as: The SPG is a way of con- produce and those who con- ¤ tributing to the strengthening promotion and mainte- sume. Thus, ecological pro- of cooperation between di er- nance of group actions; duction generates recogniti- ent actors - rural, urban, pro- ¤ spaces for collective discus- on and value for those who duction, processing and advi- sion of various topics rela- produce, in addition to sory - sharing a common objec- ted to agroecology (seeds, healthy, adequate and quality tive. Therefore, it is the under- production techniques, food for those who consume. standing of CETAP, that the processing, marketing…); The SPG is one of the ways to SPG is much more than a tool generate credibility in a more ¤ access to di erent ecologi- to guarantee food certification collective way and with the cal food markets, stimula- and to access other market involvement of a larger num- ting production growth channels, but it is a social ber of sectors of society. and strengthening the dynamic, which strengthens identity of the Ecovida SPG on the basis of the di erent agroecological Network; dimensions in a given region ¤ CETAP's performance and state. Currently, CETAP is exchange of experiences CETAP, from the begin- directly involved in the organi- and knowledge of what ning up to present day, zation and promotion of two happens within the group, through the most diverse nuclei of the Ecovida which strengthens the actions it promotes, has Agroecology Network, the farming families socially, always stimulated cooperati- Planalto and Alto Uruguai through discussions on on between people and orga- Nuclei, also acting as support to the challenges faced and nizations, because it believes the Serra Nucleus in Rio the search for solutions to that cooperation is one of the Grande do Sul. problems. fundamental principles in the promotion of agroeco- logy. Only through the prac- tice of cooperating does it become possible to build local, regional and broader dynamics, capable of promo- ting credibility processes and the principles of agroecology. This willingness, commit- ment and, above all, the spirit of collectivity, allowed us to dream, plan and start - together with the other organizations that are part of the Ecovida
Agroecology Network and Participatory Guarantee System (SPG) inspection visit - São João da Urtiga/RS (2020) The whole journey brings learning opportunities, but also doubts: a) what individual practices can be Instead of insisting on showing the possibilities, adopted daily to contribute to the we leave questions for each person to be able to agroecology proposal? contribute, adding actions that are being or can b) what aspects can be incorporated be carried out. Each idea added will be of great into reflections, school activities, value to the collective. studies and research objects to I hope that these notes contribute to the deepen, qualify and give visibi- awakening and to the importance of changes, lity to what has been accomplis- starting with ourselves and how our attitudes hed, pointing out measures that can sensitize other people we coexist with. can be adopted to expand the Finally, we want these reflections to encourage production and use of healthy us to create something that goes beyond foods? “common sense”, because the limits of this c) what public policies can be redi- reality that have been placed on us generate a rected or created to support these sense of mediocrity for the human species forms of food production and vis-à-vis life as a whole; more strongly marketing? evidenced through the reality of the Covid-19 Pandemic this year 2020. Exchanges between farmers to learn more about strawberry and blackberry production in the municipalities of Ipê/RS and Antônio Prado/RS (2020)
Investment in research and public policy support The lack of support for public policies to stimulate ecological production is a constant. The situation could be much more favorable if we had investments and incentives for research at universities and in rural areas. Local food production makes it possible to structure more sustainable dynamics, reducing energy expenditure to commercialize and o er fresher and better nutritional quality food, with immediate gains for the municipalities' economy. To overcome these obstacles, it is important to have partnerships that identify with the proposal for sustainable development.
Field Day to know more about Agroforestry management techniques - Vacaria/RS (2018) Ecological agriculture perspectives in the region and operation of CETAP
Agroecological production h e p r o d u c t i o n o f The growing technifi- The production of food, area in Torganic foods, free of cation of agriculture that has following the agroecological Aratiba/RS pesticides and chemicals been implemented in recent principles and the di erent (2018) in Brazil, continues to decades is not inclusive, on the dynamics of commercializa- grow and change the real- contrary, many farming fami- tion that exist, show us, in a ity of farming families lies continue to be left out, in concrete way, the viability of that work to produce these the countryside. Families who the farming families to foods, as well as those who have little “arable” land for the remain in the field, even seek a healthier diet. production of commodities with only a little land area, According to the Brazilian are unable to support their being able to support their Council for Organic and families, often being forced to families with dignity. This Sustainable Production leave their properties or live in model builds cooperative (Organis), the cultivation unsuitable and even inhu- relationships between farm- of these foods grows an mane conditions. We are often ing families and city dwell- average of 20% per year, shocked by the impoverish- ers, strengthening the di er- which demonstrates that ment of urban peripheries, but ent links in this chain that is this change in behavior is we also forget about the fami- advancing and establishing not just a fad, but is lies and rural communities itself as a sustainable way of becoming a sustainable that have been abandoned by life, respecting the environ- productive dynamic. the current capitalist model. ment in which we live. Perspectives and challenges for CETAP in this context
Throughout its history, CETAP has consolidated itself as being one of the organizations that keeps its focus on contributing to the a rmation of family farming and its di erent organizations, particularly acting in the construction of sustainable agriculture, based on agroecological principles, working towards opening spaces and opportunities for exercising active citizenship and strengthening social organizations. Thus, we can a rm that:
a) there are farming families that b) there are families that have want to advance in already proved that it is agroecology. possible. The view of the organization for those There are many questions about the feasi- who are being excluded from productive bility of producing food following the prin- processes, living in precarious conditions ciples of agroecology. We have several in agriculture, is something essential. experiences that prove that it is possible to There is a significant number of farming produce, sell and live without harming families still in a vulnerable situation and the environment, o ering clean and without any support, who are seeking healthy food for consumption. These expe- support to build alternatives for their sur- riences are references for organizations vival in the countryside. One of the forms and other families that want to know of support is agroecology and its dynam- more about and experience, in practice, ics, especially if we consider the growing the viability of agroecology in several demand on the part of consumers and aspects; their organizations for healthy food, pro- duced with more environmental and social consciousness as well as being eco- c) it is necessary to increase the nomically just. Our challenge is to main- participation of city dwellers in tain the “Cetapian essence”, constantly Agroecologist adapting to changes in time and social food processing and marketing family farmers. Ibiraiaras/RS context, welcoming di erent audiences, enterprises. (2018) demands and dynamics; Urbanization, with the increase in the distance between homes and places of work or study, the population's distance from culinary practices and the little time dedicated to food, have now started demanding food with minimal process- ing, which makes the preparation and consumption thereof more practical. Even in the school environment, due to the poor infrastructure of schools and the reduc- tion in the number of human resources involved in preparing food, the need for food that is also synonymous with practi- cality is evident. Work with Early Childhood Education students in a Municipal Public School. Passo Fundo/RS (2019) Meanwhile, in rural areas, the production of agroecological foods has been chal- lenged by the decrease in the size and num- ber of families, by the need for farmers to participate in di erent spaces to guaran- tee the certification issued by the PGS and, often, by the need to be present in com- mercial spaces, such as fairs, for example. This scenario has motivated and evi- denced the need for processing units assumed and managed by partners that respect the principles of agroecology and that can o er the consumer quality food at a fair price, without overloading the farming family; d) education is necessary for responsible consumption and healthy eating.
The current agricultural food system faces major sustainability challenges and aspects related to consumption and it is crucial to reverse this scenario and start promoting a sustainable system that is synonymous with health and that can guarantee food and nutritional safety for future generations. A large portion of the population remains oblivious, or chooses not to engage in sustainable consumption practices, which can be explained by the excessive amount of advertising approaches that promote and encourage Pé na Terra Fair takes place next to the Utopia Restaurant. Sananduva/RS (2020) the consumption of nutritionally unbal- anced, hyper-palatable foods that do not Social and environmental respect culture and the environment, and that have been derived from a system that setbacks threaten achievements is economically and socially unfair. We are experiencing a cloudy period, because the A greater supply of agroecological foods, achievements we have reached are being threatened in itself, is already a counterpoint. How- by the interest of the capital associated with ever, actions of an educational nature that agribusiness agriculture, with the release of a diversity seek to bring reliable information about of pesticides, progress in deforestation and land healthy and sustainable food to the popu- grabbing, neglecting climate change and its potential lation are also necessary, enabling con- impact. Anyway, they are small setbacks at the sumers to become more aware of the moment, but very worrying in social and impacts caused by their food choices and, environmental aspects, especially for future thus, assume greater responsibility with generations. their health and the environment; e) we need strategies for institu- Non-Profit Organizations (ABONG). In the southern region of Brazil, we have already tional support. participated in the TA-Sul Network and In view of the changes that are taking encouraged the creation of the Ecovida place, thinking about strategies of resis- Agroecology Network. In the state of Rio tance and survival of Civil Society Organi- Grande do Sul, we established a relation- zations that defend agroecological, diver- ship with other partner entities, in an artic- sified and sustainable food production, ulation called the Consortium of NGOs, carried out by farming families, articu- with which we pleaded policies for the sup- lated with urban families, becomes port the promotion of Ecological Agricul- increasingly necessary and urgent. CETAP ture and we also carried out joint projects has always maintained, as a guide for its under the coordination of CETAP. At an actions, the principle of being a motivator international level, we have established in the construction of processes that partnerships with partner entities to sup- directly aim to support farming families port projects that promote and strengthen and consumers who challenge themselves agroecology. In our relationships with the to build di erent sustainable and viable beneficiary public, we encouraged collec- ways of organization, to maintain and sus- tive activities and organizational actions tain their families in a dignified manner; that resulted in the constitution of several Study meeting about the organizations. Thus, we can say that along Networks f) our performance must be the way, networks have been built that cur- promoted by rently shape institutional relations and that CETAP, with the articulated in networks. encompass the di erent levels of activity of participation of representatives With regard to working in networks, histor- the entity, involving farmers, consumers, from the ically, we have always had this perspective, their organizations and partner entities. At Solidary Chain starting with the participation and articu- the moment and at this current juncture, of Native Fruits and the lation of the PTA Network, which brought the challenges are intensifying and the Consortium of together entities supporting another model strategy of cooperation and networking is NGOs-RS. for family farming, on a national scale, and essential to remain and advance in ecologi- Passo Fundo/RS participating in the Brazilian Association of cal agriculture. (2018) Production systems tuned to the natural environment
The construction of the ecological agriculture proposal takes into consideration the valuation of diversified production, socio-biodiversity and socio-cultural characteristics. The analysis of local ecosystems and traditional production systems contribute to the implementation of production systems that are more in tune with the natural environment. We can consider that there is innovation in the adaptation of traditional knowledge and in its adaptation to organic production systems, which provided for an increase in food supply. Lessons learnt from the path of ecological agriculture
1. It is possible to produce food with Time is the master of di erent technological formats. history and teaches us that in our life, which is Ecological agriculture breaks with “established brief, we must value the truths”, that it is only possible to produce food using accumulated knowledge, “conventional” technologies, which are presented as hegemonic, showing in a concrete way, that it is possi- in addition to having ble to have other options for food production. Ecologi- respect for and taking cal agriculture, practiced for decades by farming fami- care of the environment lies, shows us that it is possible to produce food using and its ecosystems. Only more appropriate principles and technologies, with then, will we find balance great socio-environmental responsibility. The di e- rent dynamics of commercialization of ecological in the forms of foods are extremely important to consolidate viable coexistence and systems, from production to consumption with the cooperation between all urban dwellers, guaranteeing a fairer price for those organisms on the planet. who produce and those who consume.
The practice of ecologi- 2. Small properties are of great importance cal agriculture requires and for the economy and local development. encourages knowledge and learning, both for those who With their logic of production and reproduction, are already dedicated to the small rural properties continue to be very e ective. production process, and for They produce food diversity, adopting sustainable those who want to start this practices, in environments that stimulate knowledge way of producing food. and the exchange of experiences between generati- Engaging in commercializa- ons. When producing for self-supply and income gene- tion, seeking food supply ration, they adopt management measures that reduce with diversity and quality, the risk of unfeasibility, contributing to food safety through relationships of and strengthening the economy in general. It is neces- trust and credibility, it also sary for the whole of society to realize the importance requires and provides con- of this model, as this way of managing production stant learning for farmers, units is very e cient when development with consumers and support enti- inclusion and sustainability is desired. ties. We want to share some of the greatest lessons learnt that this journey has provided us. 3. Producing and marketing 5. It is necessary to invest in spaces environmentally friendly that make it possible to expand foods increases opportunities access to ecological foods. for women and young people. The "laws of the market" suggest that the The dynamics of production and mar- producer seize the opportunity to sell eco- keting of agroecological foods are ena- logical food at higher prices, due to the bling changes in gender relations as di erences between supply and demand. well as between generations. Family However, the di erent productive formats members participate in the various make it possible to practice prices that are stages and phases, from production to accessible to a significant portion of the marketing. Thus, the decision-making population. The direct relationship betwe- process starts to have greater participa- en farmers and consumers stimulates tion, including decisions on how to price adjustment. Selling food in di erent share the results achieved through spaces allows greater security to plan pro- sales and the priorities for the use of duction and minimizes risks of losses resources in the production unit. Social when unforeseen events occur. In societi- relationships contribute to the deve- es like ours, with great social inequalities, lopment of personal skills and the self- there is a need to create and strengthen care of the people involved. It should be spaces that facilitate the population's noted that women and young people access to food. Food and nutritional safety have great sensitivity to and interest in is unlikely to be achieved if food is conside- ecological agriculture. red only to be a commodity, with the pur- pose of making a profit. Farmers and con- sumers can build viable options that pro- mote greater sustainability and food and nutritional safety. 4. Knowing the origin and knowing how the food that was consumed was produced are rights that are being 6. Biodiversity increases food and increasingly exercised by income opportunities.
people. Betting on diversified production brings Ecological agriculture is making a signi- opportunities for a more balanced and ficant contribution to this process in adequate family diet, greater safety in which consumers seek to know how and the productive aspects as well as in the where food was produced, enabling the supply of food and income generation. transfer of information on the di erent The diversity o ered in the commercial production formats and the exchange of spaces stimulates new demands and knowledge between the rural and urban. di erent food uses, expanding income By exercising this right, they contribute generation. When we neglect or destroy to improving production systems, biodiversity, we are reducing opportu- expanding access to food as well as incre- nities for food, health, income and qua- asing food and nutrition safety for cur- lity of life for both current and future rent and future generations. generations. 7. The valorization of regional, 8. Strengthening agroecology seasonal and agroecological is related to stimulating foods is of unquestionable partnerships and strengthening importance. institutions. Involvement in the production and com- The production and commercialization of mercialization process stimulates di e- agroecological foods in di erent cities, rent capacities in people, which extends to with di erent population sizes, is ena- other spaces, such as associations, coope- bling people to start to value these ratives and support organizations, for healthy, fresh or minimally processed example. During the journey, new needs foods which have been produced locally, are identified and partnerships are esta- respecting the seasonality of production. blished. The di erent parties are challen- In addition, they promote the recovery Moment for ged to exercise dialogue so that they can and appreciation of traditional and native exchanging seeds, contribute to the achievement of common materials and foods, which increases the food supply in experiences during goals. The commitments made by civil both quantity and variety of flavors. CETAP's 30th society organizations contribute to the anniversary Choosing these foods is a conscious and strengthening of their institutions. celebrations. responsible attitude. Três Arroios/RS (2016)
9. Agroecology strengthens the relationships of partnerships and the trust between rural and urban.
The production of ecological food is carri- ed out using practices and technologies that generate credibility for farming fami- lies organized in groups. This relations- hip of trust is first formed among the farmers themselves and then later with customers. This credibility is fundamen- tal for the expansion of the clientele and for the purchase and sale relationships to last longer. By exercising the right to know who and how food was produced, people take care of their health and thereby colla- borate with the improvement of food and nutrition safety in general. Ecological agriculture is stimulating exchanges, motivating visits to production units and sharing knowledge between the rural and urban. Tasting event 11. Actions to promote agroecology and divulgation 10. The sale of ecological foods of dishes based should encourage sustainable collaborate with the theme of on native fruit at gastronomic production and conscious Food and Nutritional Safety. enterprises, consumption. restaurants and Healthy foods from adequate and responsi- hotels. Lagoa Vermelha/RS The approximation between those who ble production processes are contributing (2019) produce and those who purchase food is to the reflections and actions that seek to very important. Historically, these soci- improve the population's food and nutritio- al segments have been identified as nal safety. Food and nutrition safety brings being conflicting, emphasizing that: together a set of principles and practices "Those who produce and sell want to that must be adopted through the policies earn more and those who buy want to and attitudes of public managers, entities, pay less". Direct sales and other marke- companies and individuals, assuring the ting dynamics of ecological agriculture right of all people to have access to quality, helped to transform this propagated nutritious and healthy food. The impor- “conflict” into collaboration and coope- tance of valuing local and regional foods, ration, after all, those who consume the consumption of fresh or minimally pro- want to know how the food was produ- ced and those who produce are proud to cessed foods are also aspects that are pre- explain and invite them to get to know sent in the reflections and practical activi- their area of production. The paths that ties carried out, such as tasting events and arise from these actions indicate that promoting gastronomic alternatives. This the forms of production tend to be qua- debate also takes place in spaces for dialo- lified and expanded, in an integrated gues about school meals, such as municipal way with the conscious and responsible councils, with the aim of o ering adequate consumption of those who live in urban and good food to students. Although with centers. Thus, ecological agriculture financial limits, local actions are appearing tends to encourage conscious consump- in this direction, which in turn, tend to tion; and conscious consumption tends motivate other actions by educators on rela- to stimulate ecological agriculture. We ted topics, in addition to stimulating dialo- need to highlight the depth of this pro- gues in family spaces about adopted eating cess, which enables development with practices. inclusion and responsibility. 12. Dialog spaces are important to seeks to identify actions that can be stimulate actions and policies taken collectively and policies that can be adopted or improved, aiming to sup- to encourage ecological port the production of healthy food and agriculture and responsible responsible consumption. Being pre- consumption. sent, showing what is done, by whom and for what purpose, are conditions to Ecological agriculture follows the gui- gradually gain support and expand peo- ding principles of the dialogues and acti- ple’s perspectives. The exercise of dialo- ons that are carried out in groups, gue in spaces with di erent thoughts nuclei, farmers' networks as well as and objectives is necessary and healthy those of collaborating partners and con- for personal, collective and proposal sumers. The food o ered is stimulating growth. We will not have great achieve- dialogues and the exchange of informa- ments if local actions do not have social tion, as is the case with municipal and and political recognition, supporting state councils, which are composed of the decisions which have a greater reach diverse and equal representations. It that may be adopted.
onstituting and main- build up lessons that made mers, in order to foster soci- ctaining spaces for food the Alternative Agriculture al support for ecological supply and integration bet- proposal conform to Agroe- family farming. Therefore, ween those who produce cology; and ecological pro- it is necessary to dissemina- and those who consume duction gained visibility te reliable information provide important indica- and social acceptance. Howe- regarding food, agriculture tors and learning opportu- ver, we need to be aware of and consumption, seeking nities, which collaborate the appropriation of the to create, together with con- with the need to improve narrative by green capita- sumers, an awareness that production systems and lism, which turns environ- changes daily attitudes and access to agro-ecological mental preservation into an consumption habits. foods. These are references intention to increase profits. In education, we see a that show the possibilities Thus, the e ort we have fundamental path to provide of other formats of social made to produce healthier new knowledge and training relations and development. food, with environmental to citizens. It is necessary to Established partnerships preservation, defending the provide access to new views and networks are good indi- fact that food is a right for of care and respect to be cators of social recognition everyone, becomes compro- taken for the environment of the importance of what is mised, and as a result not and life, as well as informati- being accomplished. being accessible to the most on and knowledge about In our institutional tra- vulnerable sectors of society. where food comes from and jectory, we realized that We have identified, in how it is produced. Thus, we collective construction is the accumulated learning, will promote the awakening more challenging, but it that it is necessary to bring to new behaviors and attitu- allowed us to gradually consumers closer to far- des of consumption. Commercialization evolves with the increasing demand
Commercialization has evolved in a very significant way, based on consumer demand. It is necessary to constantly improve this process in order to o er consumers healthy and identified foods, with traceability and certification. With these procedures, it is possible to circumvent the lack of understanding of the health surveillance services and provide credibility to consumers. In this regard, the organization and articulation of social actors is essential to assert and ensure the production and supply of ecological foods. Ecological agriculture motivates conscious consumption and the transformation of attitudes
When people take ownership of the ecological agriculture proposal, they become more aware and change their attitudes towards consumption, as they challenge themselves to know more about where the foods originate from and how the food they consume is produced. They perceive the importance of the farmers' activities, rural succession, food quality, preservation of the environment, their health, public policies and other aspects related to production and consumption. In this sense, we can a rm that ecological agriculture allows for the discussion about conscious consumption and encourages changes in attitudes.
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