LONDON (NNA) – There are few things which cannot be obtained on the Internet and the availability of fresh, locally sourced organic food which used to be the preserve of farmers‘ markets has also moved online.

Bonativo, an “online farmers’ market experience”, was started by Christian Eggert, a business economics graduate of the private Witten/Herdecke University in Germany, who launched the service in Berlin in 2013. He has meanwhile expanded to London, where Bonativo came online in February of this year, and since March Amsterdamers have also been able to obtain organic food deliveries without having to leave the house. 

The site offers a wide range of products ranging from fruit and vegetables to snacks and sweets via bakery, eggs and dairy, meat anf fish and beverages. How it works is that customers can browse the products online. If you click on a product there is not only information about the product but also about the producer so that the customer can know exactly where their food is coming from and how it is produced.

The order is then sent to the producer to be freshly made or picked. Shopping is delivered straight to the door in two days with a choice of delivery slots. Delivery is free is the order comes to more than £30.

Less food waste

At a time when the question of food waste is a controversial issue, Bonativo argues that because farmers and producers are delivering to order and know how much to produce, less food is wasted before it even gets to the customer. By using local producers it is also supporting what are often smallscale specialist local farmers and producers and the local economy of the location where it operates.

Eggert says that his studies at Witten/Herdecke University prepared him well for starting a business because a “problem-centred and entrepreneurial spirit is communicated by the course”. Networking with other Witten entrepreneurs had also helped. Before he launched Bonativo in 2013 Eggert worked in other startups such as Westwing, payleven and Zalando.

A subisidary of the German Tengelmann group supported Eggert’s startup with 3.2 million euros. “I’m happy that such an industry giant believes in our idea,” says Eggert. It is an idea, he adds, which can work in all cities where people are concerned about where their food comes from. No doubt Amsterdam will not be the last city to host Bonativo.

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Bericht-Nr.: 150702-01EN Datum: 2 July 2015

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