Agribusiness start-up Farmfes launches unstaffed vegetable stands

The global pandemic has transformed the way we live. As it’s still hard to predict when this global pandemic will end, social distancing and efficiency will continue to be essential when grocery shopping. Additionally, as people spend more time at home, consumers will be more likely to favor a well-balanced diet to stay healthy and boost their immune systems.

To support this transition, agribusiness start-up Farmfes started a pilot project called Lockal, connecting urban dwellers and farmers from different parts of the country in the post-coronavirus era.

An innovative, locker-style food vending machine service

Farmfes aims to create a locker-style food vending machine service where consumers can pick up groceries at their convenience. In the initial phase of this Lockal project, the company set up an unstaffed vegetable stand at the shopfront of the Nakameguro Lounge cafe in Nakameguro, Tokyo. The stand is stocked with organic vegetables from Hokuto-city, Yamanashi prefecture. This fall, the company plans to put the locker-style vending machines at five more restaurants in Tokyo.

Farmfes thrives to fill the physical gap between rural and urban areas

A representative of the company states, “While people spend more time at home, they are also becoming aware of the importance of healthy eating. We at Farmfes are working to fill the physical gap between rural and urban areas, delivering fresh and flavorful produce from the countryside to those who live in cities. It is our mission to improve the quality of everyday meals in the post-coronavirus era. We want to delivere more smiles to consumers.”

Despite these positive developments, it is also true that farmers are in dire need of replenishing their lost profits. The demand for grocery stock in the restaurant industry decreased sharply during the self-quarantine period. Therefore, the company is planning to expand this project to a much larger scale, increasing the number of stands and farmers. The company also aims to eventually stock processed food in addition to fresh produce.

Businesses across all industries are on the verge of a strategic shift, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that they have to find ways to stay relevant to evolving needs and demands from customers. While Farmfes’ project is still at an early stage, cultivating a culture “beyond the curve” is key to staying on top of the business.