About – Nimble Processing

The current
food system

The current food system is broken. We’ve identified a gap where small to medium-sized nature-inclusive farmers cultivate exceptional, sustainable produce, yet find themselves constrained by the burden of unsustainable pricing, surplus waste, and the lack of an avenue to enhance the value of their goods. Transitioning is difficult and resource intensive. Valorising harvest would help financially yet processing facilities are too rigid to accept their produce at a fair price. Meanwhile 54% of food waste in the Netherlands happens on farms (17%) and processing (37%). We aim to solve this, together with farmers and caterers.

Problem

With food businesses being short-staffed, chefs are looking for ways to save time on prepping vegetables without having to sacrifice quality and their values on food. Chefs and caterers yearn for convenient access to local, sustainable produce yet are disconnected to farmers or have logistical difficulties bringing local food into their kitchens. Our solution bridges this divide by providing nimble processing services tailored for chefs.

Nimble operates with a short food supply chain model to give a better price to farmers and be economically sustainable. We want to create transparent profit model where farmers are price setters.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT EXIST YET IN THE FOOD SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING.

As a short chain, we create transparency from farm to table. With our QR code, our partners can find out which ingredient comes from which farm, how it was grown and who their farmers are.

By also taking surplus produce of any shape and size and converting it into marketable products, we’re reducing waste as well as giving farmers extra revenue.

Our goal is to buy in bulk and sell in higher volumes to help scale the impact that farmers need to farm sustainably and keep regenerating soils. This will allow Nimble to shift towards a resilient, ethical food system that nurtures both people and planet.

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.