Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:48:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tatiane_Fernandes.pdf: 1293407 bytes, checksum: 387b6e2fbbcc8d67e11ae24f0bf95743 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-21 / In the production of ruminants there is the possibility of using agroindustrial residue in feeding, due to the capacity these animals present of ruminal fermentation. Many residues can be used, among which we highlight the cassava starch extracting residue, which presents considerable nutritional quality for ruminant feeding, as well as high availability in regions close to the cassava processing industries. With the objective of evaluating the use of dry cassava starch extraction residue (dCSER) in ruminant feeding, we performed studies to evaluate the in vitro digestibility and in situ degradability of dCSER and maize, as well as determine the appropriate level of dCSER to replace the maize in cattle diet, evaluating the fermentative parameters. For this purpose we used four castrated oxen, with rumen cannula, individually fed with diets containing increasing levels (0, 33, 66 and 100%) of dCSER replacing maize, to evaluate the dry matter and nutrient intake, in vivo digestibility, evaluation of pH and ammonia nitrogen of rumen fluid at different times (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) after feeding. The dCSER presented differences regarding DM, OM and NDF in vitro digestibility when compared to maize, but did not present changes regarding NDT and in situ degradability. As for the in vivo evaluations, DM and nutrients intake was influenced, in a decreasing manner, by the treatments, resulting in changes in DM, OM and NDT digestibility, causing reduction in the NH3-N concentration, not influencing the pH. The cassava starch extraction residue presented nutritional traits similar to those of the maize. Its use in ruminant feeding improves fermentation characteristics in up to 100% of replacement, requiring further studies so that it does not interfere with the intake. In a second phase, we performed a study to evaluate the inclusion of dCSER in the diet of lactating cows, with the objective of measuring the influence of the residue replacement on intake, performance, and metabolic condition of these animals, as well as the economic feasibility of its use. For this study, we used four lactating cows, fed diets containing increasing levels (0, 33, 66 and 100%) of dCSER as replacement of maize. We observed reduction in dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates and acid detergent fiber intake, without interfering in neutral detergent fiber intake. Such variations did not affect the apparent digestibility of the nutrients. We also observed reduction in milk production, without any changes in the efficiency of milk production and in milk components, but with changes in the daily production of lactose, solids and minerals. The metabolic parameters were affected by the treatments, but remained within appropriate levels for these animals. The use of dCSER in ruminant feeding is an alternative to maize as an energy source, in total or partial replacement. However, more studies must be conducted in order to provide strategies, and its use should be linked to the product‟s profitability, since the acquisition of this residue, already dry, is not feasible / Na produção de ruminantes, existe a possibilidade de utilização de resíduos agroindustriais na alimentação, devido à capacidade de fermentação ruminal que estes animais apresentam. Diversos resíduos podem ser utilizados, entre os quais possui destaque o resíduo do processamento da mandioca para a extração do amido. Que apresenta qualidade nutricional considerável para alimentação de ruminantes, assim como grande disponibilidade nas regiões próximas às indústrias processadoras da mandioca. Com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização de resíduo da extração de amido da mandioca seco (REAMs) na alimentação de ruminantes, foram realizados estudos para avaliação da digestibilidade in vitro e degradabilidade in situ do REAMs e do milho e determinação do nível adequado de REAMs em substituição ao milho na ração de bovinos, avaliando os parâmetros fermentativos. Para tal, foram utilizados quatro bois castrados, dotados de cânula ruminal, alimentados individualmente, com dietas contendo níveis crescentes (0%, 33%, 66% e 100%) de REAMs em substituição ao milho, para avaliação da ingestão de matéria seca e nutrientes, digestibilidade in vivo, avaliação do pH e nitrogênio amoniacal do líquido ruminal, em diferentes horas (0, 2, 4, 6 e 8) após a alimentação. O REAMs apresentou diferenças quanto à digestibilidade in vitro da MS, MO e FDN, quando comparado ao milho, mas não apresentou alteração quanto ao NDT e a degradabilidade in situ. Quanto às avaliações in vivo, a ingestão de MS e dos nutrientes foi influenciada de forma decrescente pelos tratamentos, resultando em alteração na digestibilidade da MS, MO e no NDT das dietas, ocorrendo redução na concentração de N-NH3, mas o pH não foi influenciado. O resíduo da extração do amido da mandioca apresenta características nutricionais semelhantes ao milho. Sua utilização na alimentação de ruminantes melhora as características fermentativas em até 100% de substituição, necessitando de mais estudos para que este não interfira na ingestão. Em um segundo momento, foi realizado estudo para avaliação da inclusão do REAMs na dieta de vacas em lactação, com o objetivo de mensurar a influência da inclusão deste resíduo no consumo, desempenho e condição metabólica destes animais, assim como a viabilidade econômica da sua utilização. Para este estudo, foram utilizadas quatro vacas em lactação, alimentadas com dietas, contendo níveis crescentes (0%, 33%, 66% e 100%) de REAMs em substituição ao milho. Foi observada redução no consumo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, carboidratos totais, fibra em detergente ácido, não interferindo no consumo de fibra em detergente neutro. Tais variações não afetaram a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, mas observou-se redução na produção de leite e não foi observada alteração na eficiência de produção de leite e nos constituintes do leite, mas sim na produção diária de lactose, sólidos e minerais. Os parâmetros metabólicos, foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, mas permaneceram dentro dos níveis adequados para estes animais. A utilização do REAMs na alimentação de vacas em lactação é uma alternativa à utilização do milho como fonte de energia, em substituição total ou parcial. Contudo, mais estudos precisam ser realizados, visando estratégias de fornecimento, e sua utilização deve ser associada à rentabilidade do produto, uma vez que a aquisição deste resíduo, já seco, não é viável

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:48:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Davi_E_S_Castro.pdf: 1189104 bytes, checksum: 12f00ef710b1bba848e4215441daed1b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this research was to evaluate the nutritional value of Cassava Dehydrated Coproduct (CDC) and its effects on performance and blood variables of piglets fed different levels of CDC. In the first experiment, the digestible e test was carried out and 30 hybrid pigs averaging 18 (0.673) kg of initial weight (IW) were individually housed in metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with five treatments, 6 replicates and one animal per experimental unit. A basal diet was formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the category and different levels of CDM (6, 12, 18 and 24%) were used to replace the reference diet, making the treatments. In the second experiment 120 piglets (60 males and 60 females) with initial weight of 13.05 (1.59) kg and final average weight of 26.03 (3.46) kg were distributed in experimental design of randomized blocks, with five treatments, six replicates and four animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of five diets with increasing levels of inclusion (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%) of CDC. The corn and soybean meal based feed was formulated to meet the requirements for pigs in the initial phase. Data were subjected to statistical analysis and to present significant differences, the averages were compared by Dunnet test at 10% significance level. The digestibility assay revealed values of digestible energy and metabolizable energy of 3022 and 2984 kcal kg-1, respectively, in the natural matter of CDC. There was no effect (P>0.10) of CDC inclusion levels on final weight and average daily gain, however there was effect (P<0.10) of CDC levels on daily feed intake and feed conversion. The use of the CDC can be an alternative of energy source to feed piglets in the initial phase, and the inclusion of 2.56% of coproduct promoted maximum feed intake / Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar o valor nutricional do Coproduto Desidratado de Mandioca (CDM) e seus efeitos no desempenho e nas variáveis sanguíneas de leitões alimentados com diferentes níveis do coproduto desidratado de mandioca. No experimento I, realizou-se um ensaio de digestibilidade e foram utilizados 30 leitões híbridos com média de 18,00 (0,673) kg de peso inicial (PI), alojados individualmente em gaiolas de metabolismo, e distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com 5 tratamentos, 6 repetições e um animal por unidade experimental. Uma ração referência foi formulada para atender as exigências nutricionais da categoria e diferentes níveis do CDM (6, 12, 18 e 24%) foram utilizados para substituir a ração referência, compondo os tratamentos. No experimento II foram utilizados 120 leitões (60 machos inteiros e 60 fêmeas) com peso vivo inicial de 13,05 (1,59) kg e peso médio final de 26,03 (3,46) kg, distribuídos em delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com 5 tratamentos, 6 repetições e 4 animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram de cinco rações com níveis crescentes de inclusão (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12%) do Coproduto Desidratado da Mandioca (CDM). As rações à base de milho e farelo de soja foram formuladas para atender ao recomendado para suínos na fase inicial. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística e, ao apresentar diferença significativa, as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Dunnet a 10% de significância. No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram encontrados os valores de Energia Digestível e Energia Metabolizável do CDM de 3022 e 2984 kcal kg-1 na matéria natural, respectivamente. Não houve efeito (P>0,10) de níveis de inclusão de CDM sobre o peso final e ganho diário de peso, no entanto observou-se efeito (P<0,10) dos níveis de CDM sobre o consumo diário de ração e conversão alimentar. O uso do coproduto desidratado de mandioca pode ser uma alternativa energética para rações de leitões na fase inicial, sendo que a inclusão de 2,56% deste coproduto promoveu o máximo consumo de ração

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:48:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana_Ruth_Estrela_Almeida.pdf: 1242416 bytes, checksum: b9c51d8f28afa1c3b6e77ad002a6b33c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the of dehydration process of co-product of sun cassava starch manufacturer (CFM) and the effect of storage period on their nutritional and microbiological quality. CFM dehydration curve of sun and nutritional quality was performed for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 days of storage and the microbiological quality, in addition to the aforementioned times was also evaluated the 15th day of storage. The nutritional quality and the population of CFM yeasts and enterobacteria were not affected by the 180 days but a quadratic effect (P <0.05) for the bacteria Clostridium genus was verified. The main fungi found were Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. In this context, the dehydration of CFM to the sun is an effective practice in the conservation of this material, allowing a high storage time. Another objective was to evaluate the levels of protected urea Optigen® II associated with the co-product of cassava starch manufacturer (CFM) for the feeding of dairy cows, for this a study was done using five lactating cows fed diets containing levels (0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.6%) of protected urea Optigen® II in the concentrate. Cows were distributed in a 5x5 Latin square, evaluating the intake and digestibility of nutrients, milk production and composition, metabolic parameters, microbial synthesis and economic viability of diets. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and other nutrients. Urea levels did not influence the production and composition of milk. For metabolic parameters, the glucose in serum had no effect between treatments, and no interaction between time and treatment, serum urea nitrogen did not differ between treatments, but there was the time effect and interaction between time and treatment. The synthesis of microbial protein showed a quadratic effect (P<0.05), maximum point estimated to be 158.19 g.kg-1 TDN assigned to the level of 0.78% protected urea. In this context, the level of 1.6% protected urea associated with the CFM did not affect dry matter intake, digestibility of dry matter and other nutrients, as well as the production and composition of milk ensuring economic return to the productive sector / Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência do processo de desidratação ao sol do coproduto de fecularia de mandioca (CFM), bem como o efeito do período de armazenamento sobre sua qualidade nutricional e microbiológica. Realizou-se a curva de desidratação do CFM ao sol e a qualidade nutricional durante 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 e 180 dias de armazenamento e para a qualidade microbiológica, além dos tempos supracitados, foi avaliado também o 15° dia de armazenamento. A qualidade nutricional e a população de leveduras e enterobactérias do CFM não foram afetadas até os 180 dias, porém foi verificado efeito quadrático (P<0,05) para as bactérias do gênero Clostridium. Os principais fungos encontrados foram dos gêneros Aspergillus, Fusarium e Penicillium. Nesse contexto, a desidratação do CFM ao sol é uma prática eficiente na conservação desse material, permitindo um elevado tempo de armazenamento. Outro objetivo foi avaliar os níveis de ureia protegida Optigen® II associada ao coproduto de fecularia de mandioca (CFM) na alimentação de vacas em lactação. Para isso foi realizado um estudo utilizando cinco vacas lactantes alimentadas com dietas contendo níveis (0%, 0,4%, 0,8%, 1,2% e 1,6%) de ureia protegida Optigen® II no concentrado. As vacas foram distribuídas em um quadrado latino 5x5, avaliando-se a ingestão e a digestibilidade de nutrientes, a produção e composição do leite, os parâmetros metabólicos, a síntese microbiana e a viabilidade econômica das dietas. Não houve efeito significativo (P>0,05) na ingestão e digestibilidade da matéria seca e demais nutrientes. Os níveis de ureia não influenciaram na produção e composição do leite. Para os parâmetros metabólicos, a glicose no soro não apresentou efeito entre os tratamentos e nem interação entre tempo e tratamento, o nitrogênio ureico do soro não diferiu entre os tratamentos, no entanto houve efeito do tempo e interação entre o tempo e o tratamento. A síntese de proteína microbiana apresentou efeito quadrático (P<0,05), com ponto de máxima estimado em 158,19 g.kg-1 de NDT atribuído ao nível de 0,78% de ureia protegida. Nesse contexto, o nível de 1,6% de ureia protegida associada ao do CFM não afetou a ingestão de matéria seca, digestibilidade da matéria seca e demais nutrientes, bem como a produção e composição de leite garantindo retorno econômico ao setor produtivo

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:38:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_edenilse_gopinger.pdf: 812945 bytes, checksum: 757e0509d8bfb3648265884290a32bf7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-28 / Canola meal has been studied as an alternative protein source to soybean meal in diets for non-ruminants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of canola meal in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, digestibility, chemical composition of meat, meat quality (sensory and instrumental) and duodenal morphometry. Three hundred and twenty broilers, Cobb strain, were housed with one day old until 35 days, and were allotted to a completely randomized design with five levels of canola meal (T1 - 0%, T2 - 10%, T3 - 20%, T4 - 30% and T5 - 40%) in place of meal soybeans, and eight replicates of eight birds each. The basal diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal, meeting the requirements of the birds. To evaluate the effect of inclusion levels of canola, except in sensory analysis, was used polynomial regression analysis. Sensory analysis was applied to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test. In general the variables of weight gain and the average weight of the birds had a quadratic behavior in the different age groups and decreased with the addition of 40% canola meal. Increased levels of canola meal promoted a linear decrease in the yield of the chest at 35 days of age. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and non-extractive nitrogen decreased linearly with increasing inclusion of canola meal. The chemical composition of the leg was not affected, but the chest was an increase in dry matter, ether extract increased and decreased moisture and ash with increasing levels of canola meal. With the inclusion of canola decreased intensity of yellow color of the meat. In sensory evaluation the only difference was found for the residual flavor of meat in 30% level of inclusion. In intestinal morphology was observed a quadratic effect unbeliever until the 20% level of inclusion of canola meal in the diet for villi height. In conclusion canola meal can be included into 20% in the diet of broilers without affecting any of the variables of interest husbandry. / O farelo de canola tem sido estudado como uma fonte proteica alternativa ao farelo de soja em dietas para não ruminantes. Com isso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de farelo de canola nas dietas de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho zootécnico, características de carcaça, coeficiente de digestibilidade, composição centesimal da carne, qualidade da carne (instrumental e sensorial) e morfometria duodenal. Foram alojados 320 frangos machos da linhagem Cobb, com um dia de idade, até os 35 dias. As aves foram distribuídas ao acaso em um delineamento completamente casualizado, contendo cinco níveis de farelo de canola (T1 - 0%, T2 - 10%, T3 - 20%, T4 - 30% e T5 - 40%) em substituição ao farelo de soja, e oito repetições com oito aves cada uma. As dietas basais foram formuladas a base de milho e farelo de soja, atendendo as exigências nutricionais das aves. Para avaliação do efeito dos níveis de inclusão de canola com exceção na análise sensorial foi utilizada análise de regressão polinomial. Para análise sensorial foi aplicado análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Em geral, as variáveis de ganho de peso e o peso médio das aves tiveram um comportamento quadrático nas diferentes idades estudadas e reduziram com a inclusão de 40% de canola na dieta. O aumento nos níveis de farelo de canola promoveu uma redução linear no rendimento do peito aos 35 dias de idade. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, da proteína bruta e do extrativo não nitrogenado reduziram linearmente com o aumento na inclusão de farelo de canola. A composição centesimal da perna não foi afetada, porém no peito houve um aumento da matéria seca, aumento do extrato etéreo e redução da umidade e das cinzas com o aumento do nível de farelo de canola. Com a inclusão de canola houve redução na intensidade de cor amarela da carne. Na análise sensorial a única diferença encontrada foi para o sabor residual da carne no nível de 30% de inclusão. Na morfometria intestinal foi observado um efeito quadrático descrente até o nível de 20% de inclusão de farelo de canola na dieta para altura de vilosidades. Em conclusão, o farelo de canola pode ser incluído em até 20% na dieta de frangos de corte sem afetar nenhuma das variáveis de interesse zootécnico.

Food hubs, a new model of values-based agro-food enterprise, are promoted by their advocates as a means to simultaneously improve the livelihoods of small and mid-sized farmers, increase the social and environmental sustainability of the food system, and supply the ever increasing consumer demand for health, local food. Noting the contradictions embedded in the promise of simultaneously generating both social values and economic value, this study explores how goals of promoting positive social, economic, or environmental change are achieved and/or inhibited when implemented though marketbased activities. Through a series of three in-depth case studies of food hubs in the Southeastern United States, the three papers compiled in this dissertation investigate how food hubs work to realize abstract non-financial goals (e.g. ‘helping family farmers’, ‘promoting sustainable food systems’) through the mundane work of food aggregation and distribution. Particular attention is paid to the experiences of mid-sized farmers who participate in food hubs, and the historic, material, and subjective processes that influence the development of food hubs and their many stakeholders. Highlighting the tensions and negotiations inherent to the hybrid social-and-monetary work of food hubs, I assert the need for an analytical framework that can account for the more-than-financial dimensions of economic and ethical praxis. To that end, I draw on the theories of J.K. Gibson-Graham to suggest that food hubs are best understood as a form of post-capitalist enterprise situated within a community agro-food economy, wherein reciprocal and interdependent relationships are forged between new economic subjects through deliberate and ongoing negotiation of care via the process and outcomes of diverse economic activity.

In response to trends that challenge food access, farmer livelihoods and public health, several market and social institutions have pursued the development of alternative food systems (AFS). These attempt to support the production and distribution of foods with important qualities, such as attention to specific growing practices, higher worker standards, superior product quality and taste, support for environmental health and farmer well-being (Valchuis et al. 2015). While there has been some success in these efforts, as evidenced by the growth of farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture programs, and farm-to-institution relationships, growth in direct to consumer markets has flattened in recent years (USDA 2012) and there are still many barriers that limit the efficacy and reach of AFS. Farmers and distributors are constantly innovating, trialing new ideas and re-thinking old ones in hopes of overcoming or circumventing these challenges. The Farm Fresh Food Box (F3B) project is one such market innovation that hybridizes direct to consumer (DTC) and value chain models with the goal of expanding producer sales and improving rural food access. Researchers and extension professionals from University of Vermont, University of Washington, Evergreen State College, and University of California studied the efficacy of F3B as a potential food system innovation through an applied project in partnership with small farmers and retailers. Research efforts focused on understanding challenges and opportunities for success within the model, as well as gleaning fundamental take-aways to better inform the broader knowledge of the continuum between DTC and value chain distribution systems. This thesis considers findings from the first half of this research project. The first article Farm Fresh Food Boxes: Pilot Study Findings of Farmer-Rural Retailer Partners assesses the pilot season of the project and identifies major challenges and associated learning opportunities, with a focus on implications for Extension personnel.The second article, Farm Fresh Food Boxes: Relationships in Value-Chain Partnerships, merges existing knowledge of strategies and barriers that characterize DTC with current understanding of value-chains to better understand the process of expanding into new consumer populations. This analysis focuses on how the quality of the relationship between producers and retailers impacts overall success when expanding into new or unusual venues. Unlike much of the previous value-chain research, this paper places unique emphasis on the importance of the farmer-retailer relationship.

Intresset för närproducerad mat växer. Klimatdebatten ökar medvetenheten kring maten vi äter. Som ett resultat av detta startades REKO-ring 2013 i Finland. 2016 kom REKO-ring till Sverige och har ökat snabbt i popularitet. REKO står för rejäl konsumtion och konceptet går ut på att närproducerad mat säljs via Facebook-grupper, direkt från producent till konsument. Antalet producenter som säljer liknande produkter inom varje REKO-ring ökar vilket bidrar till att producenterna måste samarbeta och konkurrera samtidigt. Syftet med studien är att öka förståelsen för hur samarbete och konkurrens fungerar mellan producenter inom REKO-ring samt undersöka om begreppet coopetition kan utvecklas genom tillämpning i alternativa matnätverk. Tidigare forskning gällande fördelar och nackdelar inom alternativa matnätverk, samarbete och konkurrens inom alternativa matnätverk samt coopetition används för att uppnå syftet. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer med grönsaksproducenter som deltar i REKO-ring samlades empiri in för att söka svar på de forskningsfrågor som vägleder undersökningen. Resultatet visar bland annat att producenterna upplever relationen med konsument som en fördel och mängden administration som en nackdel. Samlingen av producenter är en positiv sida av samarbetet och behovet att vara strategisk nämns som ett resultat av konkurrensen. Utifrån coopetition visar det sig leda till bättre kvalitet och större utbud. Relationerna inom nätverket är god, men studien finner också tecken på att engagemanget ibland brister hos deltagande producenter. Studien finner även att producenter inom REKO-ring inte anser att en anställd ansvarig behövs i nätverket vilket visar på motsatsen mot tidigare studier som finner att ledarskap är viktigt där coopetitionbaserade relationer existerar.

The current global food system is market-driven and depends on the exploitative commodification of our basic need to eat. It has been consistently condemned for its incapacity to account for justice, sustainability, welfare, and health. Developing alternative food system strategies is a necessary step towards creating a more sustainable and just reality. By conducting a comparative analysis using semi-structured interviews and virtual mapping between a rural area and an urban city in Ontario, Canada, the relationship between food geographies and the development of diagnostic (problem-oriented) and prognostic (solution oriented) framings within the corporate food regime is explored. Considering the influences of socio-geographical context (i.e. urban or rural), and the impacts of cognitive and physical food distancing adds new perspective and considerations to the existing literature. The results found that the urban participants had more robust diagnostic and prognostic framings than the rural participants. They also found that the impacts of food distancing were represented by the participants differently; The urban participants experienced more significant cognitive and physical distancing, but were mostly worried about the impacts of cognitive food distancing, whereas the rural participants were mostly focused on the impacts of physical distancing and were less affected by both types of distancing.

Purpose – This study aims to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by the REKO-Rings as a form of alternative food networks (AFNs). By exploring the challenges faced by producers and consumers in participating in REKO-Rings, this study will ultimately identify several opportunities and potential solutions to help Jönköping County develop AFNs. Method – This study uses case studies as the methodology. Literature review, interviews, observations, and questionnaires are used as the research methods. Triangulation is used in the empirical study and combined with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Findings – The study shows that the literature contributed twelve challenges, of which the empirical data confirmed eleven challenges and identified six challenges that are not mentioned in the literature. The challenges faced by producers are market demand, logistics and operations, knowledge and skills, policy, animals and nature, financial statements and individual consumers and yield. Consumers' challenges include price, trust, skills, time and geography, privacy, order tracking, pandemic, and product packaging. Finally, seven challenges provide opportunities to develop REKO-Rings, namely market demand, logistics and operation, knowledge and skill (for the producer), policy, price, skill (for the customer), and time. Implications – The study contributes to theoretical research on the subject because the results update the theoretical progress and identify new challenges for the participation of REKO-Rings. This study also contributes to developing business for producers and improving the shopping experience for consumers participating in REKO-Rings. The study also provides managerial implications as the results are fed back to the interviewed administrators and project publishers to support managers in creating targeted strategies. Limitations – The study is limited to Jönköping County and focused on one form of alternative food network: REKO-Rings.

Food has a crucial role in our lives as a way of shaping identities, societies, and because it enables possibilities of bringing people together. Access to food has complex social, ecological, and economic implications that deserve to be examined through a new approach. Natural disasters and nutrition concerns can be taken as an opportunity to reflect on alternative ways of getting accessing food, especially in urban contexts. In case of a similar outbreak or emergency of unknown repercussions, will mainstream food supply function sufficiently and be affordable? The aim of this study is to contribute with increased knowledge and understanding on alternative ways of allocating food in an urban context, to contribute with a discussion on their current spatial arrangements and possible ways of planning for them. As opposed to the mainstream ways of allocating food, alternative organizations specialized in food do not have a permanent space that makes them visible to outsiders, hence hindering access to them. The study shows that urban dwellers can have fluid roles regarding how food is allocated in urban contexts. They can be makers and producers, not only consumers. Alternative food allocation is a phenomenon that entails assorted aspects such as trust, spatiality, and safety and availability of the redistributed food.