REKO A new platform Transforming your business to organic farming is usually a long process - Presentation (18th of May Advisinar)

Thomas Snellman's presentation is about REKO, a direct sales model that connects producers and consumers without middlemen, bureaucracy, or long transport chains.

REKO works through Facebook groups where producers announce their products, consumers place orders, and both meet at a set time and place to exchange goods. The system is free of charge for both sides, only the products have a price. Producers sell their own products and are responsible for ensuring everything is legal and correct.

The presentation highlights that transitioning to organic farming is a long process, particularly when it comes to finding a market. REKO is presented as a practical solution to this problem, one where customers can see and taste the products directly from the producer.

A case study from Jakobstad, Finland in 2015 shows that 47.3% of products sold through REKO were organic, compared to only 1.6% in conventional grocery stores,  illustrating how effective the model is as a channel for organic food.

Looking ahead, the presentation describes four directions for REKO: it keeps growing with new rings being established; it becomes an alternative that challenges supermarkets and the wider food industry; it contributes to a better supply of locally produced food even in traditional grocery stores; and it enables women in developing countries to generate income and build their own future.