Larix Food picks up pace

Incorporated in 2020, Larix Food is a direct-to-consumer platform that provides Swiss consumers direct access to sustainable, Swiss-based artisanal food producers, a target group that has remained under-represented in the e-commerce space. These producers have often chosen not to be integrated into commercial online retailers to retain their artisanal scale and uniqueness.

Larix Food built a platform dedicated to this target group to fill this gap. Local, small producers and small businesses use the platform to reach several customers and manage their stock inventory. Thanks to its light stock model and direct on-demand shipment from the producer to customers, Larix helps reduce food waste while promoting sustainable consumption.

Besides opening new sales channels, Larix Foods manages clients’ administrative tasks, payments and marketing. “We advertise their products and stories intensively through online campaigns on social media, newspaper/blogs, through partnerships with social media influencers, through collaboration events we organise together such as workshops, tastings, pairings and visits to the producers’ farms,” says Alexandra Helou Farah, co-founder and Head of marketing and communication at Larix Food.

Following the success of the beta test in the second half of 2021 with selected producers, Larix Foods became operational in 2022. Since then, the platform has onboarded over 50 producers, shipping over 8000 products to private and corporate customers. Some of the sold small brands are Esmé, Bisbino, Le Sapalet, Bio Mate, Du Rhône and Bignasca. In addition to single purchases, customers can purchase Larix boxes or subscribe to monthly food boxes, including coffee, beers, wine, cheese and more.

The startup has been funded with its own capital and external funding from angel and private investors. With upcoming fundraising, Larix plans to raise additional funds to boost its growth by growing its four-head team and strengthening its presence in the market.

The company is onboarding new producers to diversify its offering while maintaining high-quality standards, as revealed to Startupticker. “We are also launching Larix Experiences where our customers can participate in producer and food-centred events such as workshops, tastings and pairings, hikes and producer visits, apéros, and more.”

(Ritah Ayebare Nyakato)