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As cooperativas agropecuárias facilitam a relação dos agricultores familiares com os mercados, possibilitam o acesso à informação e tecnologia, constroem estrutura física para o processamento de alimentos, fornecem assistência técnica e apoio logístico. Por isso, estas organizações colaboram com o progresso econômico, com a redução da pobreza e garantia de segurança alimentar. Por sua vez, as premissas das políticas de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) possuem similaridades com as cooperativas de agricultores familiares nas áreas de produção alimentar, ações de preservação ambiental, respeito à diversidade cultural, promoção da inclusão social e geração de renda. Assim, as cooperativas facilitam a participação de agricultores familiares no Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA) e no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE). Nesse contexto, o trabalho caracterizou cooperativas agropecuárias que fornecem alimentos para o PAA e o PNAE, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Também foi explanado os desafios enfrentados para participar dos referidos programas. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva com 43 cooperativas que responderam a um questionário semiestruturado. A produção de alimentos é diversificada e para 25 cooperativas o PAA e o PNAE são os principais canais de venda da produção. As cooperativas precisam ampliar seus mercados para que não haja dependência total, pois, apesar da importância desses programas na manutenção das referidas organizações, eles podem não ser permanentes. Agricultural cooperatives facilitate the relationship between family farmers and markets, enable access to information and technology, build a physical structure for food processing, provide technical assistance and logistical support. For this reason, these organizations collaborate with economic progress, reducing poverty and ensure food security. In turn, the premises of the Food and Nutrition Security policies have similarities with family farmers cooperatives in the areas of food production, environmental preservation actions, respect for cultural diversity, promotion of social inclusion and income generation. Thus, cooperatives facilitate the participation of family farmers in the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and in the National School Feeding Program (PNAE). In this context, the work characterized agricultural cooperatives that provide food for PAA and PNAE, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The challenges faced in participating in these programs were also explained. For this purpose, a descriptive research was done with 43 cooperatives that answered a semi-structured questionnaire. Food production is diversified and for 25 cooperatives, PAA and PNAE are the main sales channels for production. Cooperatives need to expand their markets to that there is no total dependence, because, despite the importance of these programs in maintaining these organizations, they may not be permanent.

The use of sustainable agricultural practices promotes natural resources conservation. Specifically, organic foods production stands out among these actions. In this context, the theoretical framework used addressed the agroecological foods production, cooperation on organic agriculture and the perception of quality in organic foods production. Thus, the overall goal was to identify quality parameters adopted by farmers at an Ecological Fair in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. This is an applied type research and classified as exploratory with quantitative and qualitative approaches for data processing. The results showed that, for most farmers, a vegetable quality is linked only to organic production. To ensure quality, we emphasize that care must be taken throughout in production chain main links.

The Serrano Handmade Cheese (SHC) is a product manufactured on high altitude fields in southernmost Brazil. This region is formed by northeastern Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina Southern Plateau. Originally, this was a overplus good exchanged for another goods by drovers of this region. Currently, the SHC may be responsible for up to 60% of properties income. The SHC is produced with raw milk from cattle ranching within the property. Thus, was performed a descriptive study of literature review aiming to describe the production process of Serrano Handmade Cheese. A look on product quality and food safety theoretical contribuiton was sought also. Considering the technical regulation development to SHC some properties has build appropriate production environments. Those actions are aiming quality and safety of the cheese made. The implementation of Good Agricultural Practice has shown significant quality improvement of the milk used to produce this cheese. The implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice is under study in these producing properties.

Agri-food products diversity and contemporary problems of food safety are leading to an uncertainty about the quality of products along the production chain. In this regard, the present study aimed to identify main factors in decision making of certified products consumers. To this effect, was performed a non-probabilistic sampling survey by sending an online questionnaire answered by 220 people. Among the factors that determine certified products consumption are monthly income, educational level and number of people in the family. The high price is considered as one of the barriers to certified products consumption. It was found that there are consumers who do not know what certification is. This fact constitutes an obstacle on certified products buying decision. Studies show an increase in importance when consumers attach to certification after educational campaigns. In this sense, it is necessary to develop information and awareness campaigns of the characteristics of certified products.