In this episode, we take you into the world of Boer & Chef. Jordi Muus, Managing Director of Boer & Chef shares his background, the challenges and innovations within his company and his vision on the future of short chains.
From Ecuador to the Netherlands: Jordi's journey
Jordi Muus started his career in the agricultural sector in Ecuador, working with 500 small-scale farmers and exporting produce to the Americas. His love of wildlife and background in business administration and finance led him to enter the agricultural sector. Despite a major setback due to extreme rainfall, his passion and expertise eventually led him to Boer & Chef in 2022.
About Boer & Chef
Boer & Chef is an innovative company focused on delivering fresh and local produce directly from the farmer to the consumer. With a focus on sustainability and quality, Boer & Chef manages the entire short chain in the northern part of the Netherlands. They supply a wide range of products, including potatoes, vegetables, fruits, eggs and dairy, to catering, education and healthcare institutions.
The mission
Boer & Chef aims to transform the way food gets from the farm to the consumer. Their mission is to create a more sustainable and transparent food chain that benefits both farmers and consumers. By buying directly from the farmer, Boer & Chef ensures that farmers receive a fair price for their products, while consumers have access to fresh and high-quality local produce.
The process
Boer & Chef's process starts with the farmer. They work with local farmers in Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe to provide a variety of produce. These products are picked up with their own fleet of vehicles and then processed in their own facilities. After processing, the products are distributed to customers, with Boer & Chef providing deliveries six days a week.
The complexity of short chain
Boer & Chef manages the entire short chain in the north of the Netherlands, from farmer to plate. They deliver products such as potatoes, vegetables, fruit, eggs and dairy six days a week to catering, education and healthcare institutions. Jordi emphasizes the complexity of short-chain logistics, where logistics, distribution, order fulfillment and processing come together.
Innovations and challenges
In 2023, Boer & Chef focused on scalability, optimizing processes and systems. This led to a complete rebranding and the launch of a new ordering environment. Thanks to the partnership with RouteLogic, Boer & Chef can now operate more flexibly and efficiently. Through digitization and the use of modern tools, they have significantly increased their operational capacity and reduced error proneness. Thanks to these innovations, customers can order until 9:30 p.m. and receive their products the next morning.
The future of Boer & Chef
Boer & Chef has ambitious goals for the future. They aim to produce, process and distribute 25% of all products within their own region. Jordi believes this is achievable thanks to the solid infrastructure and modern IT systems they have built. They also want to expand into the retail market with meals made from local products developed by top chefs. Through these steps, they want to show that a sustainable and profitable short chain is possible.
Conclusion
Boer & Chef is a pioneer in the field of short chain logistics in the Netherlands. By combining innovation, sustainability and quality, they are transforming the way food gets from the farm to the consumer. With their ambitious plans and constant focus on improvement, they continue to set the standard for a more sustainable food chain.
Listen for the full story
This is just a glimpse into the fascinating story of Jordi from Boer & Chef. To discover the full experience and all the ins and outs, we invite you to listen to the entire podcast episode on Spotify.
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