10 years of REKO – how to strengthen local food through direct trade, hybrid event

The event is free of cost; however, registration is required by 26.9.2023 Register here.

This year the REKO network celebrates 10 years of direct trade of local food in Ostrobothnia. In June 2013, two piloting groups premiered their food markets in Pietarsaari and Vaasa without knowing this concept would spread far beyond Finland’s borders. This seminar is a celebration of the endurance of this innovative food network. We will hear presentations from researchers that have studied REKO from different angles both in Finland and abroad. How do they see the developments, successes, and challenges of the REKO model? What are the challenges experienced in this kind of food network, whose continuation depends largely on the active commitment of both producers and consumers, as well as the voluntary engagement of local administrators? The presentations are followed by an open discussion with the audience on how to strengthen REKO and assure its future viability.

The presentations will be performed in Swedish, Finnish and English depending on who is presenting (title below according to which language will be used in each presentation), interpretation available if needed.

Program:

 14:00-14:15  Välkomsthälsning

Maria Ehrnström-Fuentes, biträdande professor, Hanken

Thomas Snellman, Reko-nätverkets grundare

14:15-14:30 The REKO model: Facebook as a platform for food system reconnection

Sophia Hagolani-Albov, doctoral researcher, University of Helsinki,

 14:30-14:45 Market Shaping Dynamics in Digital Local Food Markets – Case REKO

Kristin Bentsen, Associate professor, USN School of Business, Norway

14:45-15:00 Paikallista tukemassa – Tutkimustuloksia REKO:n asiakaslähtöisyydestä

Hannele Suvanto, Väitöskirjatutkija, Helsingin yliopisto Ruralia-instituutti

15:00-15:15 REKO – Kuluttajien ja tuottajien kohtaamispaikka

Hanna Leipämaa-Leskinen, apulaisprofessori, Vaasan Yliopisto

 Kort paus * Lyhyt tauko * Short break *

 15:30-16:00 PANEL: Hur stärka REKOs livskraft i framtiden? Miten vahvistaa REKOn elinvoimaa tulevaisuudessa? How to strengthen REKO’s viability in the future?

Efter evenemanget, tar vi oss till REKO utdelningen vid Kaserntorget (kl 16:15-16:45) för att fira med producenterna och konsumenterna!

Tilaisuuden jälkeen siirrymme REKOn jakelupisteeseen Kasarmintorilla (klo 16:15-16:45) juhlimaan tuottajien ja kuluttajien kanssa!

After the event, we will go to the REKO delivery point at Kasarmintori (at 16:15-16:45) to celebrate the 10 years together with the producers and consumers!

For more information please contact: maria.ehrnstrom-fuentes@hanken.fi