Limburg-based entrepreneurial platform Kiempunt Korte Ketens sets growth acceleration in motion

Kiempunt Korte Keten, a partnership of Limburg organizations LLTB, Arvalis, LIOF, Province of Limburg and Bluehub, is using a growth accelerator under the banner of Kiempunt Limburg to empower farmers and growers to serve their customers themselves, or with the help of like-minded people, through a (far) short chain. Since 2018, Kiempunt Limburg connects and inspires professionals in agro-food sector who want to innovate together on Limburg soil. In recent years, this network has become the breeding ground for growth in the agrofood landscape.

The Limburg hub for short chains

Short chains are not a goal in themselves; however, they can lead to food traveling fewer miles, farmers and market gardeners achieving higher margins on their products, consumers being able to obtain healthy and local food more easily, and there being direct contact between farmer and citizen. "Recent developments, including the Corona crisis, have shown that there is a great demand for honest, fresh and high-quality home-grown food. However, short chains are not for all entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector. Sometimes entrepreneurs run into the same problems. With Kiempunt Korte Keten we want to join the forces of the parties involved to help entrepreneurs to support and strengthen each other", says LLTB board member Susanne Görtz.

Support, connection and knowledge sharing

The collective of the five initiators LLTB, Arvalis, LIOF, Limburg Province and Bluehub has grown in the past eighteen months into a central contact point for both producing and buying parties who want to make the step towards (far) short chains. Kiempunt Korte Keten is also linked to the national Taskforce Korte Keten (short-chain task force) and, together with the Rabobank, acts as a sounding board group for the Limburg LOF programme, which links dozens of farmers and market gardeners directly to care providers to supply vegetables, fruit, dairy or meat. Part of the accelerated growth of Kiempunt Korte Keten is the explicit provision of an extensive network, up-to-date knowledge and support to link farmers and growers to the right cooperation partners.

Create a short chain or far short chain yourself

In the coming period, during the National Trade Mission and prior to the Dutch Food Week, Kiempunt Korte Keten, will draw attention to short and medium short chains and use its online and physical counter function to connect even more farmers, growers and buyers who see added value in a minimum number of links between farm and fork. The digital home base of Kiempunt Korte Ketenens keeps interested parties informed and gives them access to an enthusiastic community and high-quality, up-to-date knowledge. Kiempunt Korte Ketenens is keen to get in touch with farmers and growers who want to supply their customers, either on their own or with the help of like-minded people, through a short or distant short chain.

The counter can be reached at korteketens@kiempunt-limburg.nl or place a call in the Kiempunt Korte Keten Groep.