By Racheal Nagawa | Senior Reporter, Business Express
Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan agritech startup Farm to Feed has raised US$1.5 million in seed funding to scale its operations across Kenya and expand into regional markets, as it intensifies efforts to reduce food loss and provide stable incomes for smallholder farmers.
The funding round includes US$1.27 million in equity and US$230,000 in non-dilutive support from the German development finance institution DEG through its DeveloPPP Ventures programme. Other investors participating in the round include Delta40 Venture Studio, DRK Foundation, Catalyst Fund, Holocene, Marula Square, 54Co, Levare Ventures, and Mercy Corps Ventures.
Founded in 2021 by Claire Van Enk, Anouk Boertien, and Zara Benosa, Farm to Feed operates a technology-driven platform that connects smallholder farmers to institutional buyers such as restaurants, caterers, and food processors. By purchasing surplus or “imperfect” produce often rejected by traditional markets, the startup provides farmers with consistent incomes while mitigating methane emissions linked to decaying food.
“This funding allows us to expand our reach, connecting more farmers to a market that increasingly demands sustainably produced food. Technology remains at the core of our growth, and we’re excited to enhance our systems to support expansion beyond borders,” said Claire Van Enk, CEO of Farm to Feed.
Impact on Farmers and the Environment
Farm to Feed has already onboarded over 6,500 farmers, sold 2.1 million kilograms of produce, and doubled its annual revenue. The startup estimates it has prevented roughly 247 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions by redirecting surplus food to productive use.
“Farm to Feed maximizes farmer incomes by purchasing the full harvest while ensuring that every gram of produce creates value. Whether through exports, B2B sales, or value addition, Farm to Feed is creating a win-win-win for farmers, businesses, and the planet,” said Lyndsay Holley Handler, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Delta40 Venture Studio.
The new capital will be used to scale operations, strengthen digital systems, and develop a line of semi-processed and value-added products, enabling the startup to serve more farmers and institutional buyers across Kenya and the region.
Addressing Kenya’s Post-Harvest Challenge
Kenya faces one of the world’s highest rates of post-harvest loss. According to the World Resources Institute, up to 40% of total harvests are lost before reaching consumers. For maize, the country’s staple crop, losses reach 36%, primarily due to poor storage and aflatoxin contamination, while mangoes can suffer losses of up to 56% during seasonal gluts.
For smallholder farmers, these losses translate to reduced incomes and wasted labor. For the broader economy, post-harvest loss represents billions of shillings in forgone productivity. By turning surplus produce into sales, Farm to Feed positions itself at the intersection of climate action, technology, and agricultural efficiency, offering both economic and environmental benefits.
The startup’s model has been hailed as an example of impact-driven agritech innovation in Africa, demonstrating how technology and finance can be combined to improve farmer livelihoods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen food supply chains.
About the Author
Racheal Nagawa is the Senior Reporter at Business Express Magazine, covering agritech, startups, and innovation in Africa’s agriculture sector. She focuses on climate-smart farming, investment trends, and initiatives that enhance farmer incomes and food system efficiency.
