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The Golden Bean Award

Established in 2022 by The Protein Community, The Golden Bean Award is more than just a pin—it’s a symbol of energy, inspiration, and connection. Crafted with a real bean of known origin, plated in gold for lasting brilliance, this unique piece is designed to be worn as a talisman, amulet, or conversation starter.

This award especially honors changemakers, the driving forces working behind the scenes to shape the future of alternative protein. It celebrates those who make a lasting impact without seeking the spotlight, recognizing their dedication and vision. who make a lasting impact without seeking the spotlight, recognizing their dedication and vision.

Characteristics of The Golden Bean Award

The Golden Bean Award is a pin, awarded to a person. A true changemaker driving the production and adoption of alternative proteins. Individuals shaping the future of protein, yet not necessarily standing out or visible as public figures.

Design: A real bean with known origin

Material: Gold paint plated, made to last

Purpose: Acts as a symbol of achievement, inspiration and conversation

Durability: Made to last, ensuring its significance over time

Symbolism: Serves as a talisman or amulet for motivation and recognition

Meet the Golden Bean Awardees

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Isabel Boerdam

Nationale Week Zonder Vlees

  • Isabel has promoted plant-based eating since 2013, with her “Week Without Meat & Dairy” campaign inspiring sustainable food choices across the Netherlands and EU.
Tobias Leenaert

ProVeg

  • Plant-protein pioneer, spreading his inspiring word from Flanders to the World.
Drees Peter van den Bosch

Boerschappen

  • Short food-chain hero, re-popularizing Dutch-grown beans for human consumption.

Awardees 2024

Joël Broekaert

Media personality

  • Joël received the Golden Bean Award for writing the book ‘De wereldgeschiedenis in twaalf bonen’
Brad Vanstone

Willicroft

  • For serving our CEO, Mother Nature, and bringing beans to our plates in the form of delicious cheese.
Kees Pieters

Provincie Gelderland

  • For 10 years of being a provincial rock in the Protein Transition branding! Founding father of IPO Protein Transition.
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl

Vegetarian Society of Denmark

  • Architect of the Danish Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, an immense achievement and an inspiration for countries worldwide.
Tracye McQuirter

By Any Greens Necessary

  • Tracye has dedicated decades to advocating for plant-based diets, especially among women within the African American community.
Tom & Bart Grobben

De Nieuwe Melkboer

  • True protein farmers of the future. Shaping the future of agriculture with their plant dairy farm.
Corjan van den Berg

revyve

  • Corjan is the embodiment of the revival of fermentation, connecting upcycling and the protein transition.
Thijs Bosch

Royal Cosun

  • Thijs has taken up the immense challenge to help regime players such as Fonterra and Cosun in upscaling their plant-protein impact.
Jo Penders

KaasKennis

  •  Cheese connoisseur, applying his 45 years of experience to combine animal and vegetable materials into plant-based dairy products.
Erik te Velthuis

Sportcentrum Papendal

  • The always smiling and shining chef, bringing new protein solutions to our plates.

Awardees 2023

Wouter Staal

YB

  • Founder of the first and only Climate Positive healthy restaurant chain in the world: Yoghurt Barn.
Elies Lemkes

Provincie Noord-Brabant

  • Elies received The Golden Bean for her role as deputy in anchoring the protein transition on the provincial agenda.
Stacy Pyett

Wageningen University & Research

  • Stacy has an important role as research program manager at Proteins For Life and was the lead editor of the book ‘Our Future Proteins’.
Marc Arts

Green Food 50

  • Mister Quinoa of the Netherlands, who has also been a member of the sounding board of The Protein Community from the very start.
Paul van Zanten

Inveja

  • As a legume processor, Paul is the missing link and bridges the gap between production and consumption through various collaborations.
Ruben Bringsken

Jamael Foods / Boon

  • Behind the scenes, Ruben is an innovative entrepreneur in the world of beans.
Henk Janknegt

Eiwitboeren van NL

  • First chairman of the producers organisation Eiwitboeren van Nederland: a game-changing farmer!
Verena Wiederkehr

BILLA

  • Verena had an essential role linking the protein transition with retail, with Pflanzilla as an example.
Renze Brouwer

Ministerie LNV

  • Renze was programme manager for the National Protein Strategy in the Netherlands, and a catalyst for important projects such as the Protein Transition Map NL and Future Protein NL.
Jans Hoekman

OostNL

  • One of the founders of The Protein Community, who has been working tirelessly to keep the protein transition high on the agenda at regional development agencies.
Janny van der Heijden

Provincie Noord Brabant

  • In her role as high-tech innovation strategist in agrifood at the province of Noord-Brabant, Janny is an important initiator and motivator for the protein transition.

Awardees 2022

Fred van de Velde

HAS/Nizo

  • Fred was the first lecturer (HAS Green Academy) on protein transition in the Netherlands and actively engaged a new generation of students in this vital transition.
Henk Schouten

Schouten Europe

  • A true plant protein pioneer, both within and outside the Netherlands.
Michael Luesink

Voormalig BoonBonen

  • Michael received the Golden Bean Award for modernising beans through BoonBonen, making them appealing to a new generation.
Marieke Laméris

Lekker Lupine

  • Marieke was awarded for her unstoppable energy to get lupine on everyone’s plate.
Jessie van Hattum

AH/GPA

  • Jessie received the award for her role as a protein changemaker at AH, and her role at Green Protein Alliance, where she developed the innovative tool The Protein Tracker (Eiweet).
Marjolein Brasz

Foodvalley

  • Marjolein was awarded for her dedication to the Bean Deal, which connected 56 parties, and her international ambassadorial role for the protein transition.