Lokalist connects local food producers and buyers

Lokalist is an innovative platform that connects local food producers, such as farmers, with buyers in hospitality, retail and catering. From their office in Groenekan, near Utrecht, the 15-strong team works on a system for orders, payments and deliveries. Van Straaten: ‘We offer a kind of Thuisbezorgd or Bol for food producers, making it easier for them to sell their products. Buyers can order from several producers at the same time, which thus ensures cross-pollination.'

Ordering from local producers currently works differently everywhere: one farmer receives orders via e-mail, another via WhatsApp, and yet another has a simple webshop. In addition, there are often IT and legal requirements on the buyer side. Lokalist brings all these separate components together on one platform and allows farmers to play along in terms of sales and distribution, just like the big wholesalers. Jeroen Ekkel, Startup & Scale-up Banker at Rabobank, explains: 'Many farmers have little experience in sales, administration or distribution. Lokalist provides them with the tools and support, such as transport, to trade their produce more easily and earn an honest living.' The combination of wide reach for producers and simplicity for buyers results in a win-win situation that is scalable and ready for further growth.

Lokalist responds to the increasing demand for local food while also offering a sustainable solution for the short chain in the food industry. Van Straaten says: ‘We combine transport to increase efficiency and reduce dependence on one or a few customers.' The driving force of Lokalist is clear: it understands the importance of bringing smaller initiatives so that they become viable. Rabobank strongly believes in the importance of this kind of regional cooperation. Ekkel adds: ‘The food transition is not only about healthier choices, but also about sustainability. Fewer transport movements lead to CO₂ reduction and strengthen both the food and energy transition. In addition, given the geopolitical challenges, it is also not unwise to become less dependent on imports.'

To grow Lokalist, Van Straaten sought investors who understood his mission. Rabobank got involved through a co-investor. Ekkel: ‘We supported Lokalist with an Innovative Guarantee Credit and a shareholding through Rabobank Investments. The Innovatief Borgstellingskrediet from the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) is a financing instrument for innovative companies. It provides more security for the bank and allows lending on favourable terms. For example, we have given Lokalist the breathing space it needs to grow at this stage by including a grace period.'

Besides financial support, Rabobank helps with knowledge and network. ‘We benefit greatly from Rabobank's specialist insights and the connections they offer within the food and agri sector,’ says Van Straaten. 'The involvement of food and agri specialists at Rabobank is of great value. They bring us into contact with relevant parties and support us where necessary, for example in sharpening our strategic vision.' Ekkel: ‘Sector manager Food & Agri Martijn Rol, for example, has played an important role during, but also after, Lokalist's application with extensive knowledge of the food market and his network. Among other things, he helps make valuable connections. In this way, Rabobank builds a sustainable future together with the client.'

Although Lokalist is already active in large parts of the Netherlands, Van Straaten is focusing on national expansion. 'We want to grow to 1,500 to 2,000 food makers on our platform and we have some great big projects coming up. We are also betting on commerce and new partnerships. We already have a nice partnership with MVO Nederland and NS, for instance. We also want to help buyers tell the farmer's story, a so-called product passport, to their customers.'

With partners like Rabobank and the support of other investors, Lokalist has laid a solid foundation for further growth. 'We want to become the infrastructure for the short-chain in the Netherlands, both in terms of IT and logistics. The road to success is not easy and the playing field is complex. Many short-chain initiatives did not make it and it was also not easy for us to get the necessary investments around. But we succeeded,' says Van Straaten proudly.

At Rabobank, we believe in the power of sustainable businesses. Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative and scalable business model that will make a difference? The Startup & Scale-up Team is ready to support you with knowledge, network and tailored financing solutions. Want to know more? Get in touch with one of our advisers.