CityBlue Hotels, one of Africa’s fastest-growing local hotel chains, has announced a significant investment in the agritech start-up Farm to Feed. The equity position supports their mission to tackle food loss by sourcing imperfect surplus produce directly from farmers, increasing their income while promoting sustainability.
This investment not only enhances CityBlue’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials but also strengthens the impact investment strategy of its parent company, The Diar Group.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, food loss remains a critical challenge, with up to 50% of crop production never reaching consumers. This issue is particularly severe for farmers, as much of the unsold produce is discarded due to cosmetic imperfections. Market access remains a significant barrier, contributing to both economic losses and environmental harm.
“I saw first-hand what farmers were not selling even when markets returned after COVID, and it is a huge devastation not only on food security but on the economy too,” said Claire van Enk, Founder and CEO of Farm to Feed. “Food loss has a climate change aspect, with rotting food producing methane, a greenhouse gas that is worse than carbon dioxide.”
Farm to Feed has developed a tech-enabled platform that connects farmers with aggregators and provides transportation solutions using freezer trucks. This approach not only mitigates food loss but also sets a new standard for food sustainability in Kenya.
The platform also collects valuable data on the drivers of food loss, aiming to improve farming practices and contribute to a more circular food system.
“Our ESG practices both as CityBlue Hotels and its parent, The Diar Group, will be enhanced by working alongside Farm to Feed,” stated Jameel Verjee, Founder and CEO of CityBlue Hotels, at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.
“We hope that other businesses will follow our lead and work with Claire and her team in Africa on the pertinent issues of food security, sustainability, and climate.”
For more information, visit: Farm to Feed Kenya.
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