Skip to main content

Innovation Insights: Eating the Change 2.0

Thanks to joint efforts in recent years, millions of consumers – early adopters – are now eating more healthily and sustainably. Scaling the transition, guiding the majority towards this goal, requires different narratives, roles and initiatives. It starts with understanding societal movements, (targeted) consumer motivators and insights into consumer behaviour. In short, we need to throw a far better party than we have done so far.

 At Foodvalley, we work closely with our partners to strengthen products and ingredients and, just as importantly, to understand what helps them get chosen by customers, repeatedly and preferred over time. Together, we learn what works and what does not.

Hosted at the R&D facilities of FrieslandCampina, our latest Innovation Insights highlights how innovation can be realised across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the final product – through strong collaborations.

Join us on Wednesday, 25 March, 13:00 – 18:00 for an exclusive Foodvalley Partner event during the Dutch Week of the Circular Economy.

This Foodvalley Event is for partners only.

Programme 25 March 2026
13:00 – 13:30 hrsWalk-in
13:30 – 14:30 hrsPlenary programme, get inspired by:
– Jeroen Heck, FrieslandCampina
– Jonathan Rason, FrieslandCampina
– A dynamic panel of three leading partners will share inspiring perspectives and real-world examples on how to engage consumers in ‘eating the change’
14:30 – 15:00 hrsShort break and move to breakout sessions
15:00 – 17:00 hrsCommunity breakout sessions, see details below
17:00 – 18:00 hrsNetworking (with upcycled drinks and bites)
Community Breakout Sessions
The Protein Community

Join this interactive breakout session hosted by The Protein Community. The session starts with a presentation by Cosun on the Industry Roadmap for Balanced Meat.
You will then meet eight innovative companies pitching their solutions and inviting collaboration. You also have the chance to win a free ticket to Plant FWD by completing a short survey on AI, exchange, and meet & match opportunities with peers in the protein transition.

Speakers:

  • Désirée Potters, Business Lead Plant Powered Solutions, Cosun
  • Pitches from new partners:
    • Eric Schieven, Colzaco
    • Daniel Konty, ALPMA
    • Ashish Korde, Proeon
    • Stefan van den Hanenberg, De Bonenboet
    • Maarten Sisselaar, Scaleboost
    • Harry Schreuder, Harry’s Farm
    • Boaz van Driel, Afropulse
    • Akbar Mirzada, Dutch Organics
The Upcycling Community

From side streams to store shelves: scaling upcycled food

See upcycled food go mainstream! Nynke Hopmans (Royal Smilde Group), Bas Kuipers (FrieslandCampina) and Derk van Manen (Duynie) will share insights on how side streams can become market-ready, profitable ingredients. Hear the strategies, partnerships, and tech that make it happen, connect with the right collaborators, and leave with actionable insights to scale your upcycled ingredient, match supply with demand, and fast-track your journey from upcycling innovation to commercial success.

Speakers:

  • Nynke Hopmans, Royal Smilde Group
  • Derk van Manen, Duynie
  • Bas Kuipers, FrieslandCampina
Healthier Food & RegenAg Communities (combined session)

From soil to health: changing what feels normal to bring regenerative agriculture and healthy food choices into the mainstream.

This session explores how regenerative agriculture and healthier food choices can reshape what we consider “normal.”
Discover real-world examples, strategies, and collaborations that make sustainable farming and nutritious diets accessible to everyone. Discover what the Dutch consumer thinks, and gain insights on scaling regenerative practices to create meaningful impact. You will leave inspired with actionable insights to bring healthier soils, food, and lifestyles into the mainstream.
 
From regenerating the land beneath our feet to nourishing the people who rely on it, this session brings it full circle: from soil to health.

Speakers:

  • Harro Bouwmeester, University of Amsterdam
  • Anne van de Peppel, HarvestCare
  • Jeroen Heck, FrieslandCampina
  • Michiel de Ruiter, EIT Food
  • Jens Hellewaard, Volksportret

Speakers

Jeroen Heck

Milk Expert at FrieslandCampina Innovation

  • Keynote
  • In the plenary session, Jeroen will highlight the collaborations and technological innovations that have contributed to improved sustainability at the farm level. He will also explore the ongoing need for innovation and partnership to address the sustainability challenges of the future.

Jonathan Rason

Discovery & Venturing Manager at FrieslandCampina Ingredients

  • Keynote
  • During his plenary talk, Jonathan will explain the origin of FrieslandCampina side streams and how FrieslandCampina Ingredients (FCI) is exploring new and innovative ways to valorise dairy side stream through a partner network.

Susan van de Loo

Co-founder of Not Wasted & Stockable

  • Panel member
  • With years of experience in marketing and commercial leadership, Susan is committed to fighting food waste. Through the brand ‘Not Wasted – Just taste it’, rescued and upcycled ingredients, together with surplus products, are turned into delicious, sustainable and affordable food.

Nynke Hopmans

Manager QA/NPD at Royal Smilde Bakery

  • Panel member

Susanne de Raaij

Owner at Biobite Foodlab

  • Panel member

Practical information

Date: 25 March 2026

Time: 13:00 – 18:00 hrs

Location: FrieslandCampina, Innovation Centre

Bronland 20 | 6708 WH Wageningen | the Netherlands

Please note: this event is exclusive to Foodvalley partners!

Why attend?

This event is your unique opportunity to:

  • Stay updated on the latest trends shaping the food transition
  • Connect with top experts, peers, and speakers in the field
  • Discover practical solutions in a plenary session and tailored breakout discussions during our meetings of The Protein Community, The Upcycling Community, and The Healthier Food Community & The Regenerative Agriculture Community
  • Taste upcycled drinks and bites during networking time
No show = No go

Innovation Insights is designed for active participation and exchange. If you are unable to attend and do not cancel in advance, you not only miss out on the content, but also leave an empty seat that someone else could have taken. Unannounced absences also result in unnecessary food waste and additional costs. A shame.

That is why we support the No show = no go initiative. Please cancel in time if you are unable to attend. One week before the event is preferable.

If you wish to attend Innovation Insights in person at FrieslandCampina in Wageningen, please register by 19 March 12:00 CET at the latest. Any registrations received after this date will only be accepted for online participation.

Not a partner yet?

If you are not yet a Foodvalley partner but are eager to learn more about our ecosystem, this event is an excellent opportunity to get to know us better. To explore the possibility of attending this event, please send an e-mail to partner@foodvalley.nl

Hybrid event
Innovation Insights is a hybrid event, with the option to join online. However, to get the most out of the day, from in-depth discussions to meaningful connections and shared energy, we strongly encourage you to attend in person. Only a live setting can offer the full experience.

This edition of Innovation Insights is part of: