Paul and Veerle D’haene-Minsaert run De Polle goat farm in Flanders with 500 goats. They produce a variety of products such as cheese and ice cream, part of which is sold locally. However, their distribution network was not working optimally.

By Way of a Strategy

Veerle first turned to Innovatiesteunpunt, the Innovation Support Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, for advice on how to determine the best possible strategy for their goat farm. The Support Center recommended that the two farmers establish an Advisory Board composed of external experts.

Prior to the Advisory Board’s first meeting, Paul and Veerle worked together with the Innovation Support Center to make a detailed SWOT analysis of the farm’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

A Bottleneck in Distribution

Among other things, the SWOT analysis also identified a bottleneck in De Polle’s distribution of local products via the short supply chain. Paul and Veerle found themselves asking questions such as: How can we find new customers in the region, organize an affordable and sustainable logistic flow and follow up on the administration? And would collaboration with fellow farmers or producers offer an added value?

Successful Logistic Innovation

The Innovation Support Center suggested that Paul and Veerle participate in a local distribution model. Based on an existing distribution model in the Netherlands, they initiated an adapted model in Flanders.

The Center brought together five interested producers of goat cheese, cow cheese, fruit and tomatoes, potatoes and vegetables and pig meat. They helped the producers search for an independent and commercial distributor who was convinced of local4local, formalized the cooperation and gave an information session to existing customers.

In April 2013, the cooperation was established and offered to a total of 12 producers.

Since then, the Center has launched five similar logistic innovation projects all over Flanders.

Video

Watch the video about the local distribution model which De Polle’s is part of.