Are we on track or off course towards a resilient, healthy and fair food system? That question shaped this year’s Foodvalley Partner Event on 11 December.

The honest answer: transitions rarely follow a straight path. They unfold through detours, pauses and unexpected turns. What truly matters is continuing to move forward, together, and remaining open to new perspectives and partnerships.

That spirit was strongly felt during last week’s Partner Event. The room was filled with urgency and optimism, curiosity and connection. It reflected a community that has grown significantly in recent years: broader, more diverse, and increasingly joined by actors who recognise their role in shaping change.

The programme was guided by:

• Sofie te Wierik, with the perspective from the EAT-Lancet Commission
• Jeroen Candel, bringing urgency and direction
• Gunhild Anker Stordalen, joining online with clarity and drive
• Emma Holmes, opening the event with energy, humour and a touch of craziness we all need

Practical insights from Annelies van Hierden (HEMA) and Marjolein Verkerk (Jumbo Supermarkten) grounded the conversation in everyday retail reality — where millions of food choices are made and where real transformation must take shape.

Foodvalley Award

Selected from twelve nominees and four finalists across our communities, MaGie Creations stood out for its ability to translate innovative solutions into real, scalable contributions toward a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system. They were chosen as the winner of the Foodvalley Award 2025.

Community Breakout sessions

Our four communities shaped the afternoon with vibrant, interactive and engaging breakout sessions. Get inspired by their programmes!

The Healthier Food Community

The Healthier Food Community set a clear course for the year ahead. The shared ambition is to prove the commercial viability of healthier products, in both retail and out-of-home. The first steps were made during the breakout session, together with the attending partners.

The Protein Community

In an episode of The Protein Community Podcast, recorded live during the Foodvalley Partner Event, we explored where the protein transition truly stands today and what it will take to move from early adopters to the mainstream.

The Regenerative Agriculture Community

During a Dare to Ask – “What happens when the Whole Value Chain Speaks Up” – session, the conversation centred on real challenges from soil to shelf, and one clear insight emerged: regenerative agriculture only works if every link is involved.

The Upcycling Community

This session showed that upcycling is gaining momentum, and at the same time, it highlighted where collective action is still needed: building awareness and market pull, enabling regulation, and strengthening connections across the value chain.