The Footprint Firm invests DKK 7 million in FoodOp

FoodOp aims to enter the Swedish market and reach 3,000 kitchens.

The Danish foodtech company FoodOp is receiving a multimillion-kroner investment from The Footprint Firm. The investment is primarily intended to capture customers in the Swedish market and achieve FoodOp’s growth target of 3,000 kitchens in its portfolio by the end of 2027.

FoodOp has already reduced over 1 million kilograms of CO₂ for clients in canteens, hotels, and public kitchens. This reduction has been achieved through significant reductions in food waste and assistance in sourcing more sustainable ingredients.

“This investment enables us to reduce the CO2 footprint and administrative workload in both Denmark and abroad,” says FoodOp CEO and co-founder, Nichlas Saul.

A shared focus on the E in ESG

FoodOp is making strides in the fight against carbon-intensive ingredients and food waste in canteens, hotels and public kitchens. The Danish platform was founded by Nichlas Saul and Christian Borkenfelt in 2021. The co-founders left their positions at McKinsey & Co and Strategy& respectively to realise their startup dream.

FoodOp’s data platform provides canteens, hotels, and other professional kitchens with an exceptionally efficient way to manage procurement and menu planning, thereby avoiding food waste and the purchase of carbon-intensive ingredients. This leads to significant financial and environmental savings.

Many large canteens, hotels and conference centres have recognised the value of FoodOp’s platform. Now, The Footprint Firm, led by Christian Sparrevohn among others, is investing millions over the coming years to expand the Danish platform internationally. Christian Sparrevohn, in addition to his role at The Footprint Firm, also serves as chairman of the Council for Green Transition.

The common goal is for the data platform to be implemented in 3,000 professional kitchens by the end of 2027, resulting in a total annual reduction of 450,000 tonnes of CO₂ for FoodOp’s clients.

“The green transition will require us to reduce CO2 emissions from our production and consumption of food. A significant portion of that responsibility demands a change in behavior from us as consumers, but we need help. With FoodOp’s solution, it becomes much easier for the chefs who prepare lunch at our workplaces to make the right decisions and serve healthy, climate-friendly, and delicious meals to those of us needing to adopt new habits. At the same time, companies and public workplaces gain the tools needed to measure and reduce emissions from their cafeteria operations. We are very impressed by FoodOp’s product and excited about the team’s abilities, experience, and drive. We are proud to be part of FoodOp’s important journey.”

Christian Sparrevohn

A growing customer list

FoodOp has reduced its customers’ CO₂ footprint by over 1 million kilograms annually; food waste has been reduced by 220 tonnes. In addition, assistance and inspiration to support more sustainable menus have led to a CO₂ reduction of 830 tonnes. This has been achieved, for example, by increasing the proportion of green proteins such as legumes in the kitchens.

Many kitchens eventually achieve savings of hundreds of thousands of kroner, far exceeding the investment in FoodOp. On average, customers recoup their investment in FoodOp’s platform in just six months.

“At Alfa Laval’s Danish offices, we have reduced the CO2 footprint by 23%, equivalent to 38 tons of CO2 per year, and saved hundreds of thousands of kroner. This reduction is due in part to a 45% reduction in food waste, equivalent to 16 tons less CO2 annually, and a 15% reduction in CO2 from menus, equivalent to 22 tons less CO2 from menus per year. The majority of the environmental impact comes from the increased popularity of green dishes. We hope to have the opportunity to replicate this success at Alfa Laval’s Swedish offices, where they are headquartered. The company employs 17,000 people globally. Several major hotels and conference centers have also adopted our platform, including Guldsmeden Hotels, who chose us because they want to lead the sustainability agenda. We can provide all the data that makes it easy for environmentally conscious companies to choose a hotel or conference center. A number of large canteen operators have also joined the platform. For example, we are extremely proud that Cheval Blanc has chosen FoodOp because they too are a company leading the sustainability agenda in their field. In canteens, we can provide and convey all the requested data, such as information on allergens, CO2 footprint, nutrition, and organic %, and the platform makes it easy to find inspiration for green meals.”

Nichlas Saul, Co-founder

Figures show that annual food waste in Denmark amounts to 814,000 tonnes, equivalent to approximately 2,000 tonnes of CO₂. FoodOp has 10 employees and expects to hire three more in connection with further expansion in Denmark and the launch in Sweden.