No Waste Army connects surplus food to sustainable growth

When Dutch growers Robin and Adriaan were stuck with tons of apples and pears after a hailstorm, four entrepreneurs from Breda stepped in. Organic farmers Hanneke and Bart faced a similar issue when supermarkets chose cheaper imports over their raspberries. These cases are just a glimpse of a broader problem. Due to cosmetic standards, import competition, or broken deals, millions of kilos of edible produce go to waste each year.

No Waste Army was founded in 2023 with a clear mission: reduce food waste while paying farmers fairly. The company buys surplus produce, turns it into shelf-stable goods, and sells them in a subscription box. Over 21,000 households now receive these boxes each quarter—filled with soups, sauces, juices, and more.

From frustration to rapid growth

Thibaud van der Steen, one of the founders, recalls how frustration became action. Alongside Frank Haagen, Jacco Grinwis, and Stijn Markusse (also founder of Boerschappen), he set out to disrupt the food system. Backed by a growing base of subscribers, No Waste Army expects to reach 23,500 members and €4.5 million in revenue by the end of 2025.

Storytelling plays a key role. Media attention—from NOS to Radio 1—has boosted awareness and engagement. Supermarkets have shown interest, though talks are still ongoing. Van der Steen hopes to move from dialogue to partnership—not as a supplier, but as an ally in tackling waste.

His vision: a new supermarket shelf, placed between fresh and long-life products, dedicated to food that would otherwise be wasted. He sees this as a win for retailers and a smart move for their marketing.

Connecting supply and need

No Waste Army links surplus to demand. Through crowdfunding campaigns, consumers can donate rescued food to food banks. This initiative has already redirected 500,000 kilos of produce. The next step is a platform where companies fund food purchases, No Waste Army buys from farmers, and food banks place orders. A first pilot is already in motion.

For now, the focus remains on scaling responsibly within the Netherlands. Still, plans for international expansion are already underway. Being nominated for the ABN AMRO Newcomer Retail Award 2025–2026 is a meaningful milestone for the team.

Read the entire article on www.abnamro.nl