agribusinessreview.comJUNE - 202319Would you mind telling us more about the journey you've had as an individual leader in this field, how you ended up at Marley Spoon, and what your current key roles and responsibilities are at your organization?I have always had a big passion for the agriculture industry and sector, as I was born and raised on Netherland farms. So my journey in the agriculture sector started when I was very young. I was always more focused on where the food was grown, how it got transported, and topics like food waste.I studied food science at the Vatican University but later shifted my orientation towards sustainable agriculture. During my master's, I opted for food quality and supply chain management. Furthermore, upon moving to Germany, I was assigned responsibilities such as quality management of meat and dairy products, vendor assessment, and global operations evaluation.These experiences sparked a passion for global food systems and led me to work with various industries and countries, including Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa, where I was inspired to examine different food systems and the scattered nature of food regulation, even within Europe. As a result, Marley Spoon approached me regarding compliance topics and quality control. Throughout the years, I have held multiple positions in the organization. As the head of production, quality, safety, and sustainability, I have been responsible for all aspects related to process quality, health and safety at work, sustainable practices, order fulfillment, warehouse management, food manufacturing, operational excellence, and inventory management.What are some of the major challenges that have been impacting the sustainable agriculture space lately?Our biggest challenge as an organization in the agriculture business is the ongoing impact of climate change. We are transforming how food is produced and consumed at Marley Spoon. We are committed to being carbon neutral and are equipping a lean supply chain to reduce food waste and carbon emissions associated with food production and build more resilient operations to cope with climate change disruptions every day.We observe ongoing disruptions in our supply chains through the management of fulfillment centers, where we assemble boxes with food. With the assistance of our suppliers, we are constantly developing new approaches to reducing packaging while maintaining the freshness of the food during transportation in all weather conditions. We strive to limit our impact on climate change by adopting Annaberth Van Der Steege is the head of US production for Marley Spoon. She oversees operational strategy execution and ensures regulatory compliance, food quality, and safety standards are met. Her years of experience in food waste, supply chain, and quality management assist the company in facilitating safe, delicious, and sustainable meals for its customers. She continues to contribute to the organization's success through her leadership and commitment to excellence.REDUCING FOOD WASTE WITH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREBy Annaberth van der Steege, Head of Production, US, Marley Spoon insightscXoAnnaberth van der Steege
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