Free From 2024: Invitation & Opportunities for TPC

August 23, 2024

Free From 2024: Invite & Opportunity for TPC-Partners

1. TPC Community Meeting

Date: November 6, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 (CET)
Place: RAI Amsterdam, Free From Food Expo
Registration: Click here

We’re excited to invite you to the TPC Community Meeting on November 6th, hosted at the Free From Food Expo in RAI Amsterdam. This event is a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow TPC partners, while also gaining insights into the latest food trends and innovations. 

Event Program

Restricted Access for TPC Partners (10:00 – 11:15 hrs):

  • Protein Speed Dating: Start your day with an engaging networking session, designed to foster meaningful connections and collaborations within the TPC community.
  • Meet the New TPC Partners: Get introduced to our newest members, including companies like Luiten BV, Happy Ocean Foods (to be confirmed), and more!

Public Access for All Expo Visitors (11:15 – 12:00 hrs):

  • Foodvalley Initiatives: Learn about the latest initiatives from Foodvalley and discover how your business can benefit from them.
  • Pitch Opportunity: Take advantage of this open session to pitch your product to a broader audience at the expo. If you’re interested, please indicate your preference on the registration form.
  • Bring a Friend: This time, you can invite a colleague or industry contact interested in alternative proteins. Register both your spot and theirs via the button below.

After the meeting, feel free to explore the expo, which promises to be the most focused and dynamic Free From Food event yet. With hundreds of international food and beverage manufacturers and brands showcasing their latest product innovations, this is an excellent opportunity to see what’s next in the world of food.

 
 

2. Discount on booth at Free From

Building on the success of TPC’s participation in the Free From Food Expo in Amsterdam in 2022 and 2023, we’re thrilled to announce that TPC has once again secured an exclusive offer for our partners. Read the event report from 2023 here. You can register for a booth via this link. 

Special Package for TPC Partners

Thanks to our strong partnership with the Free From Food Expo, we are excited to offer an attractive participation package that provides the following benefits:

  • All-Inclusive Booth Package: For just €1,750, TPC partners can secure an all-inclusive participation package.
  • High Visibility: Benefit from strong exposure through our collective presentation.
  • Prime Location: Our dedicated TPC Pavilion is strategically located in a prime area of the exhibition, ensuring maximum visibility.
  • Ready-to-Use Booth: A 3×3 meter space with ready-made booth construction.
  • Comprehensive Online Registration: Includes full access to the Promotional Manual, a company profile (100 words) in the FFF catalog, your logo on the FFF website with a link to your site, product list inclusion, social media posts, and free invitation cards.
  • Tailor-Made Matchmaking Program: Customized to connect you with key industry players.
  • Enhanced Marketing Exposure: Inclusion in the visitor campaign, with collective participation in the official FFF Newsletter and company listing on the FFF website.
  • Guided Innovation Tour: The tour will pass by the TPC Pavilion, showcasing your innovations.
  • Innovation Gallery and Awards: Participate in the Innovation Gallery and be part of the Awards ceremony.
  • Conference Program: Engage with industry leaders through various conference sessions.
  • Tasting & Sampling Opportunities: Highlight your products to a targeted audience.

What to Expect at the 2024 Amsterdam Edition

This year’s event combines a tradeshow, conference, and matchmaking program, all under one roof over two dynamic days:

  • Targeted Visitors: The event attracts buyers from retail and foodservice sectors, representing around 50 countries, with 50% coming from neighboring regions.
  • Diverse Exhibitors: A strong mix of food, ingredients, and specialty exhibitors, strategically placed to foster better business interactions.
  • Side Events: A robust conference program covering topics such as market research, consumer trends, ingredient solutions, and innovation.
  • New Specialty Segment: Focused on premium and artisanal food products.
  • Matchmaking Program: In collaboration with RVO/EEN and our online platform BtoMatch, we facilitate connections with high-profile buyers. We also offer personalized matchmaking to meet your specific needs.
  • Innovation Gallery: Showcase your brand to a curated audience.
  • Captains of the Category Event: This co-located event, in partnership with Food Personality, will draw approximately 400 high-profile retail visitors, including the entire Category Management of the Netherlands. They will participate in the Innovation Category Tour, which will feature our exhibitors.

Partnership with Food Personality: Elevating Retail Engagement

The Free From Food Expo’s collaboration with Food Personality and Supermarktteam.nl continues to strengthen. This year, Food Personality will once again promote the Healthy Innovation Award, to be presented during the expo.

New this year is the prestigious ‘Captain of the Category Event,’ which will gather around 400 participants, including the majority of Category Managers in the Netherlands. 

You can register for a booth via this link. For more information or to secure your participation, please contact:

Chris Gottschalk
EBCEXPO
Email: Chris@ebcexpo.com
Phone: +31 76 20 50 501

We look forward to seeing you there and engaging in exciting discussions about the future of food. Register now!

5 September: CSRD: Opportunities for Alternative Proteins

August 16, 2024

CSRD: Opportunities for Alternative Proteins

Date: September 5
Time: 14:30 – 17:00 CEST (drinks & bites till 18:00 hrs)


Get ready for an engaging Acceleration Session dedicated to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This event is your gateway to understanding CSRD and exploring myriad opportunities for alternative proteins!

We have put together an interesting and varied programme for you:

  • Wouter Staal from YB: what is CSRD, for who, when and how to benefit in alt. proteins
  • Agrifirm, a cooperative involving more than 10,000 Dutch livestock farmers and growers: their vision and practical experiences in CSRD
  • CarbonCloud: calculate, understand, share and reduce the climate footprint
  • De Nieuwe Melkboer: how CSRD helps for a better business proposition
  • Retailer (tba): What is the relation between CSRD and the 60-40 Protein Transition target in 2030 (plant – animal based proteins)
  • Dynamic, interactive discussions about sharing best practices, collaborations, collective actions and insights to Profit from Proteins
  • Networking session with drinks and bites

The session will take place at TPC-partner Agrifirm in Apeldoorn and will be also streamed online via Teams. We have a limited amount of spots to join on-site at Agrifirm, so be quick! Full = full!

This event is for The Protein Community partners only. Register via the button below.

 

 

Register here

Scaling up to maintain leadership position in protein transition

July 10, 2024

Scaling up to maintain leadership position in protein transition

The Dutch market for alternative proteins is poised for significant growth, with projections suggesting it will surpass €10 billion by 2030. Despite the Netherlands’ global reputation for expertise in agriculture and biotechnology, startups and scale-ups in this sector encounter substantial scaling challenges. Foodvalley NL and Invest-NL have pinpointed these issues and proposed solutions for cultivating a robust Dutch ecosystem for alternative proteins. Their report, ‘Enhancing the ecosystem for alternative protein innovation: Strategies for scaling success,’ identifies several key barriers, including limited facility access, high operational costs, intricate regulations, and funding gaps. Through national collaboration, targeted infrastructure development, and innovative financing models, the Netherlands can bolster its position as a leader in food innovation.

Challenges in Scaling Up

Advancing the protein transition necessitates innovation, but startups and scale-ups in the alternative protein sector face numerous hurdles when moving from lab to commercial production. Existing pilot and demonstration facilities are insufficient to meet the growing demand, and restricted access to shared facilities causes delays in market entry. High operational costs, encompassing expenses for equipment, personnel, and raw materials, impose a heavy financial burden on shared facilities. Navigating the regulatory landscape for new food products adds another layer of complexity for these companies. Additionally, the critical funding gap between R&D and commercialization, often referred to as the “Valley of Death,” obstructs innovation and market penetration.

Recommendations for Advancing the Alternative Protein Sector in the Netherlands

To address these challenges and unlock the full potential of the alternative protein sector in the Netherlands, Invest-NL and Foodvalley NL have made several recommendations. Developing a national strategy that fosters innovation clusters and streamlines regulations is essential for stimulating growth. Government policies should support this initiative with consistent funding and infrastructure development.

Moreover, strategic investment in shared facilities is vital. Creating regional hubs with advanced shared facilities, backed by public-private partnerships, can expedite company growth. Implementing flexible access models will make these facilities more accessible and affordable for startups and scale-ups.

Additionally, expanding financial support mechanisms with vouchers, subsidies, and innovative financing models is crucial. Introducing bridge financing programs can also help to bridge the gap between the R&D phase and commercialization.

Download the report via the Foodvalley website by clicking the button below. 

 

Download the report here

TPC at PLANT FWD 2024

May 8, 2024

Two days at PLANT FWD

PLANT FWD 2024, a two-day event dedicated to advancing the shift towards plant-based protein consumption, unfolded on April 23 and 24. Bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders including startups, brands, retailers, foodservice professionals, policymakers, investors, and emerging talents, the event was jointly founded by The Protein Community (TPC) and prominently featured on the agenda. Here are the key highlights:

International Debut of the Protein Transition Map NL
A highlight of Plant Forward 2024 was the global launch of the Protein Transition Map NL, an online platform designed to spotlight the myriad actors driving the protein transition in the Netherlands. With over 500 featured entities, this map provides invaluable insights into the dynamic landscape of sustainable food production.

“This time, our success in averting a food system crisis is not just an option, but a necessity. I have full confidence in our ability to succeed, and I believe you do too.” – Jeroen Willemsen, Lead Protein Transition, Foodvalley

TPC’s Presence at PLANT FWD
Foodvalley’s contribution at PLANT FWD 2024 featured a keynote by Jeroen Willemsen, Foodvalley’s lead on protein transition, who underscored the urgency of preventing a food system crisis. He highlighted reasons for optimism, including:

  • Dutch Retailers and Catering Commitment: Many Dutch retailers and catering services have committed to transitioning to plant-based or hybrid products, with some even discontinuing fresh meat promotions, like Jumbo.

  • Innovation in Hybrid Products: The emergence of hybrid products, blending plant-based and animal-based ingredients, promises to expedite the protein transition. This innovation is reshaping the concept of Plantification, introducing fully or partially plant-based alternatives to beloved animal-based recipes, ingredients, or brands.

  • Your Role and Impact: Each attendee was emphasized as a pivotal player in averting a food system collapse by the end of the century. Jeroen stressed the significant individual and collective impact, urging attendees to unite in creating a resounding voice that resonates into the next era.

TPC Booth & Golden Bean Award
The event also featured a booth hosted by The Protein Community (TPC), a proud co-founding partner of Plant Forward 2024. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with industry experts and learn about initiatives promoting sustainable protein consumption. Moreover, the international Golden Bean awards were presented, with TPC community manager Leo Koning awarding the inaugural international Golden Bean to Tracye McQuirter, MPH, in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the Protein Transition in the USA and her advocacy for a vegan lifestyle.

See you next year?

TPC Network Event: Sharing is Caring, May 29

April 18, 2024

TPC Network Meeting: Sharing is Caring

Sign up now and discover how you can benefit from Shared Facilities, meet other TPC-partners & join the tour at NIZO’s new facility!

Date & Time: 29 May 2024, 14.45 – 17.30

Location: NIZO (Ede)


Programme:

  • Strategic investments in shared facilities for scaling alternative proteins in The Netherlands: Join us to discover key findings from our study on scaling alternative proteins in The Netherlands. Engage in a stakeholder feedback session and explore opportunities for implementing your recommendations. Your involvement is vital in driving industry progress!
  • Presentation by Fred van de Velde (NIZO):
    Avoiding the valley of death: Lessons learned in upscaling alternative proteins
  • Get to know our newest TPC-partners: FoodHelden, Eurofins and Jonker & Schut
  • A follow-up and engaging discussion on the buzzing topic of Hybrid Products
  • Product Pitches: Present your new product/application/ingredient/technology!
  • Join a tour at NIZO’s SPRINT Facility (TPC-partner): a unique combination of expertise and food-grade scaling up facilities for dairy and meat analogues without compromise (14.15 p.m.)
  • Networking drinks & bites (17.00 – 18.00 p.m.)

TPC-partners can register via Foodleap. This meeting is only for partners of The Protein Community. Not a partner yet? Send us an email.

Register on Foodleap

Join us at PLANT FWD!

April 3, 2024

Join us at PLANT FWD!

Plant Forward    |    23-24 April    |    2024 Amsterdam

Join us at Plant Forward 2024! PLANT FWD is a two-day event that brings together startups, brands, retailers, food service professionals, policymakers, investors, future talents, and other change-makers from across Europe. PLANT FWD aims to accelerate the shift towards plant-based proteins and collectively build a future that prioritizes plant-forward solutions.

Join us at Plant Forward 2024! Plant FWD is a two-day event that brings together startups, brands, retailers, food service professionals, policymakers, investors, future talents, and other change-makers from across Europe. Plant FWD aims to accelerate the shift towards plant-based proteins and collectively build a future that prioritizes plant-forward solutions.

Founding Partner
The Protein Community is proud to be a founding partner and is offering a substantial discount for all its partners. Secure your ticket for just €295 (discounted from €795). This exclusive offer is available until April 21st. Find it on Foodleap.

What to Expect?
Jeroen Willemsen, lead of protein transition at Foodvalley, returns as a keynote speaker, joining a dynamic lineup of thought leaders and experts in the field. Additionally, TPC will host its booth at the market, where the Protein Transition Map NL will be unveiled to an international audience. Join us in shaping the future of food at Plant FWD 2024. See you there!

Click here for the TPC-discount!

Recap: TPC session on Hybrid Products

March 25, 2024

Recap: TPC Acceleration Session on Hybrid Products

During a recent event organized by The Protein Community, specialists in the field delved into hybrid products, addressing both obstacles and opportunities. 

Key insights:

  1. Innovation through Collaboration: The session commenced with Kees Pieters from the Provincie of Gelderland emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts in fostering innovation within the hybrid products sector. The Protein Community acknowledges Kees’ contributions to advancing the protein transition, and Leo Koning, TPC manager, honored him with a Golden Bean award!


  2. Communication is key: Throughout the discussions, the importance of effective communication was underscored. Jeroen Willemsen (Foodvalley) presented various examples of hybrid products and their communication strategies. Some brands opt not to label their products as hybrid, while others highlight the ratio of plant-based to animal-based ingredients or emphasize reduced CO2 emissions compared to fully animal-based alternatives.
    Alice Pilkington (Mintel) suggests clearly communicating the advantages of hybrid products, focusing on aspects such as enhanced taste, health benefits, and environmental sustainability, rather than using percentages. She advises avoiding the term “hybrid” to position such products as less extreme while still emphasizing their meaningful environmental contributions.
  3. Market ready: Production of many hybrid products have stopped quickly. Was this due to ineffective communication or an unprepared market? Likely, it’s a mix of both factors. Alice Pilkington remains optimistic, suggesting that positioning hybrid products as a bridge between animal-based and plant-based diets could resonate with the increasing flexitarian demographic. She notes, “Ongoing media coverage on plant-based eating is continuing to fuel interest in plant-based eating and drinking long term.”

    During the session, a debate arose regarding whether hybrid products should have their own category in supermarkets or undergo a silent transition. Henk Schouten highlighted the challenge, as many consumers adhere to the mindset of “don’t mess with my meat,” potentially making hybrid products less appealing.

  4.  Innovate in action: Despite facing challenges, speakers emphasized several opportunities for hybrid products. Jan Vreugdenhil and Angelique Peterse (Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods) provided insights into their companies’ strategies for hybrid product development. These strategies range from co-manufacturing plant-based ingredients to re-imagining traditional recipes by incorporating plant-based alternatives.
  5. Many strategies possible: During the panel, participants explored obstacles impeding the acceptance of hybrid products, such as consumer resistance and misunderstandings regarding processing. To overcome these challenges and boost consumer acceptance, strategies like silent transitions, improved product labeling, and strategic placement in supermarkets were suggested. Rem van den Bosch (Seaburger) emphasized the significance of storytelling within the hybrid category, noting, “People purchase a brand, not just a specific product.”

 
Looking ahead

With the increasing demand for alternative protein products, the hybrid product market presents opportunities for innovation and collaboration. However, stakeholders encounter the challenge of fully realizing the potential of hybrid products. The session offered insights, fostered partnerships, and generated ideas to expedite time to market.

Jeroen concluded on an optimistic note, highlighting that Dutch caterers are targeting a 60/40 plant/animal protein ratio by 2030. This underscores the imperative of embracing hybrid solutions to meet these ambitious goals.

 
 
Watch the full recording on Foodleap

Insights from the Innovation Mission to Denmark

March 22, 2024

Insights from the Innovation Mission to Denmark

On March 17 – 20, 2024, Jeroen Willemsen (Innovation Lead Protein Transition at Foodvalley) and several TPC-partners went on an innovation mission to Denmark. This visit was planned with the goal to network and get inspired in the field of protein transition and was organized by the Province of Noord-Holland, Amsterdam Trade & Innovate and OostNL. This mission offered a chance to explore Denmark’s advancements in protein transition. This collaborative initiative, involving public and private entities, focuses on sharing knowledge and business opportunities within the protein ecosystem.

Some of our insights:

#ShorteningTimeToMarket

  • 43 Dutch participants joined, among which 18 TPC partners;
  • Round table with Dutch & Danish experts: ‘creating long term partnerships is key’. E.g. between producer and retailer, between the Netherlands and Denmark;
  • Product innovations at the Food Expo Herling:
    • Tempty: hybrid product combining Marlow-Ingredients’ Mycoprotein and Quinoa
    • PerfectSeason: vegetable burger with Danish roots

#PlantifyingTheFoodIndustry

  • Agro Food Park Aarhus:
    • PlanetDairy: hybrid dairy – nondairy cheeses branded as Audu
    • Arla showcasing JÖRD (‘earth’), oat-based drinks and yoghurt
  • Danish Ministery for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries: round table on the Danish Action Plan on Plant Based Foods, including a multi-million Plant Based Food Grant.

#MoreProteinSelfSufficient

#GoldenBean
Seven Danish Protein Transition-experts received a Golden Bean-pin as a token of appreciation for their protein transition work and the bond between the Netherlands and Denmark.

Next Innovation Mission: France
April 16-18, an trip to France is organised by RVO, exploring plant-based proteins for meat and dairy alternatives. 

Five new TPC-Partners Introduced

February 12, 2024

Five new TPC-Partners Introduced

At yesterday’s online session, we introduced five new companies to our community: Bodec, Traitomic, MUCHgroup, Alfa Laval, and Jamael. If you could not attend this session, watch our partners introduce themselves below! 

The session began with Jeroen Willemsen providing a brief overview of the CO-FRESH project, which involved 9 TPC-Partners.

Subsequently, each of the new partners delivered engaging presentations, offering insights into their backgrounds and company missions. They shared their aspirations for the community and outlined their specific needs. The session was very interactive, with the audience asking a lot of questions, fostering a valuable exchange of knowledge.

It was great to see TPC-partners connecting, with two partners having already scheduled a meeting together a few hours later!

Our next Meet The New TPC-Partner session will take place on May 8th. More information will follow.

For now, sign up for our next event: the TPC Acceleration Session where we will delve into the world of Hybrid Products. Spots to join on-site are limited, so make sure to sign up here!

Online New Year Meeting, Jan 10th 16.00 – 17.30 CET

January 12, 2024

Highlights: TPC New Year Event
January 10 2024, 16.00 - 17.30 CET

Thank you all for attending the TPC New Year Event! It was an engaging, interactive afternoon with many great guests and speakers. If you were not able to attend this event, you can watch the recording here. TPC-partners can find a file with slides in the Knowledge Base here.

Key Takeaways:

Upcoming TPC Events
Save the dates for our upcoming events:

  • Meet The New TPC-Partners on February 7 from 12.00-13.00 CET. Make sure to sign up here.

  • TPC Acceleration session: Hybrid Products: Gamechanger in Plant-Based? on March 22 from 09.00-13.00 CET at Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods in Nijkerk. This is a hybrid event and you can sign up here.

TPC-partner discount for Plant FWD and Eiwittransitiedag

  • Plant FWD: 23 & 24 April in Amsterdam. We are able to offer our TPC-partners a discount for this event co-founded by TPC! Get your ticket for just €295 (discounted from €495-795. Get the discount code here.

  • Eiwittransitiecongres: March 14 in Kamerik.  TPC-partners will receive a 100 euro discount for this event! Get the discount code here.

New partner introductions
A warm welcome to our three new TPC-partners who introduced themselves – Studio Fava, Grassa and Hain Celestial, each contributing uniquely to the alternative protein value chain.

Theme 2024: France

  • This year, TPC will focus on the theme France! Antoine Peeters  delivered a great presentation on the French Alternative protein market and the newly released report on this. To receive the report, please send an email to par-lnv@minbuza.nl.

  • A perfect example of a Dutch-French collaboration was elaborated on by Willem Spigt (Rival Foods) and Bruno Gehin (Roquette).

  • Additionally, Bert van der Heide revealed an exciting mission to France scheduled for April. If you are interested in joining this mission, you can register here.

Thank you all for such a great afternoon and stay tuned for more updates!

Register on Foodleap