An interview with Mark Frederiks, leader of the Living Lab in the Netherlands

During the EU4Advice Cross Living Lab event organised by Amped held at the beginning of July in the Netherlands, Mark Frederiks shared his experiences and insights in an interview. His passion for local food systems and extensive work developing short food supply chains over the past 15 years was central to the discussion.

Frederiks explained that his journey into local food began as an entrepreneur, deeply committed to the short food supply chain model. Over the years, he has been pivotal in establishing hundreds of these chains, focusing on community-supported agriculture and fostering collaboration, trying to engage farmers and consumers. His work has aimed at empowering farmers to access their own markets directly, thus reducing dependency on traditional, often more exploitative, distribution networks.

Frederiks emphasized that these short food supply chains act as a vital bridge between farmers and consumers. By shortening the distance between food production and consumption, these chains contribute significantly to farmers’ livelihoods. At the same time, they allow consumers to reconnect with their food sources, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from.

Frederiks also reflected on the valuable lessons he has learned while working on these initiatives. Engaging closely with farmers and communities has provided him with a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within local food systems. 

As one of the Cross Living Labs managers in the EU4Advice project, Frederiks shared his experience facilitating the exchange of knowledge and practices among the participating labs. He highlighted the importance of these collaborative efforts in advancing the project’s goals and fostering sustainable food systems across Europe.

Watch the interview here: