Nimbling the food system

Nimble is a fair and flexible food processing facility dedicated to empowering farmers and food businesses. We transform produce and surplus from small to medium-sized nature-inclusive farmers into value-added products that celebrate local agriculture. Our service connects chefs to local, sustainable farmers, solving logistical challenges and enabling food businesses to serve quality ingredients with ease.

Nature-inclusive farmers are growing exceptional, sustainable produce but face challenges like unsustainable pricing, surplus waste, and limited options to add value to their goods. Transitioning to sustainable practices is resource-intensive, and existing processing facilities are often too rigid, pricing out smaller farms.

In the Netherlands, 54% of food waste occurs at the farming (17%) and processing stages (37%). By partnering directly with farmers and caterers, we’re bridging this gap to ensure fairer pricing, reduce waste, and build a food system that benefits everyone.

Start Better with

Nimble operates in a short chain model to create transparency in an opaque system increase market access to better ingredients. We research innovative solutions to make sustainable processing better.

We’re changing the supply chain, taking produce from all shapes and sizes, including surplus so farmers can use all their harvest. We keep it short so farmers can get a better cut of the euro, and we make it convenient for chefs to use our products.

Our QR passports link each product to its source, revealing the farm’s location and the farmers behind it. We are finding working solutions to update real time information on our ingredient and work with farmers that grow biodiverse produce without chemicals.

We see technical innovations as crucial to Nimbling the food system. Current machineries allow only certain vegetables to fit them whereas we see a world where machinery can fit all vegetables, no matter how they look to reduce waste as much as possible.

TEAM

Nita van Dam

Co-Founder and CEO

Nita van Dam merges her expertise in agroecological research with the entrepreneurial skills honed at ReProduce, her inaugural U.S.-based startup aimed at reducing food waste and aiding farmers, complemented by over five years of experience in the restaurant and catering sector. This fusion of entrepreneurship and sector-specific insight is foundational to her leadership role at Nimble.

As Nimble’s CEO, Nita is at the forefront of fostering partnerships with local farmers and investors, streamlining short supply chains to promote sustainability. She is pivotal in refining Nimble’s approach based on continuous market feedback, driving the company’s growth and mission.

Nita’s commitment centres on strengthening local agriculture through short supply chains, reducing food waste, and ensuring fair farmer compensation. Her vision for Nimble is to lead in sustainable eating, bridging the gap between farmers and consumers to foster a more sustainable and equitable food system.

Melchior Huijts

Co-Founder & COO

Melchior Huijts, with his expertise in Aerospace Engineering and Systems Integration, infuses Nimble with a strong foundation in scientific analysis and innovative problem-solving. His journey through challenging environments and a biomaterials startup has honed his resilience and adaptability, essential traits for navigating the startup landscape.

As CTO, Melchior spearheads the development of Nimble’s processing facility, focusing on systems design and infrastructure that align with sustainable practices. He is also tasked with identifying and securing subsidies and grants, leveraging his strategic insight to support Nimble’s growth and ecological mission.

Driven by a passion for ecological restoration, Melchior’s role is pivotal in ensuring that Nimble operates at the intersection of technology and sustainability. His efforts are aimed at creating systems that not only benefit the company but also contribute to healing the planet.

COLLABORATIONS

Andrew Klein

Andrew Klein is a serial entrepreneur. He pioneered the use of the Internet in capital raising. He has founded a total of 8 different companies and is currently CEO of Brighter Seas, a startup developing the North Sea's first large scale oyster restoration project to capture nitrogen in the oceans. His work experience spans from tech companies, investment management to food industry in agriculture and fermentation. His vast knowledge in startups allows him to advise on different topics such as funding, incorporation, and teaming.

Pepijn Schmeink

With his businesses Eendracht, Dertien and Jack Bean, Pepijn put himself on the map as a chef and catering entrepreneur with a heart for nature, farmers and people! And he still works with a strong sustainability ambition, currently as an ambassador for Het Nieuwe Nassen, the Blue City 010 network that connects the Rotterdam catering industry on themes such as waste, protein transition, health and sustainable purchasing.

Karol Keane

Karol was a co-founder from the beginning and now serves in a strategic advisory capacity at Nimble, bringing a wealth of experience from the culinary world and beyond. He has a background that spans over two decades in the food and hospitality industry, including a central role in establishing Airbnb’s Food Program across EMEA and crafting dishes in Michelin-starred kitchens, Karol's journey is marked by a blend of culinary excellence and innovative leadership. His academic prowess, underscored by an M.A. Globalisation and a MSc. Management and Innovation, complements his hands-on experience, providing him with a unique perspective on the intersection of food, hospitality, and technology.

Nieuwe Nassen

Het Nieuwe Nassen is a local movement of Rotterdam restaurants, food entrepreneurs, nature-inclusive farmers and trade organizations that together put the food transition on the map.

Rotterdam de Boer op!

Rotterdam de Boer op! is a broad movement of farmers, nature conservationists and entrepreneurs & other organizations in the agricultural and food system and is made possible by the National Postcode Lottery. Together they work on more biodiversity in the Rotterdam area, fairly produced food for the city and a fair price for the nature-inclusive farmers.

Fresh Ventures Studio

Fresh Ventures is a venture building program and startup studio based in BlueCity in Rotterdam. They co-found companies with experienced professionals and entrepreneurs to address systemic challenges in the food system.

van Kool tot Kimchi

Their mission is to promote sustainable production, processing and consumption of local healthy food products in the province of South Holland. They do this by bringing makers, farmers and sellers together in project teams to develop 6 new products.