An Impulse for a Fair, Sustainable, and Healthy South Holland Food System
On April 9, 2025, the Food Festival took place in the inspiring greenhouse of café Clementine, which, like the Robin Food Hub, is part of the Fruitpacking District. This special event brought together numerous initiatives and links from the food chain. The province of South Holland took the initiative to underline the importance of a future-proof food system and to work together on healthy nutrition, fair compensation for farmers, and a sustainable production environment.
Robin Food Hub; Not Just Chosen
This location symbolizes the food transition: a place where innovation and sustainability come together, and where entrepreneurs work on future-oriented solutions for a waste-free and plant-based food system. A fitting environment to think together about the future of our food!
Province Charts Course for a Strong Food System
During the Food Festival, the province presented its ambitious plans for a fair, sustainable, and innovative food system. The province aims to support and strengthen existing initiatives and actively engage in themes such as healthy food choices, regional production, and the protein transition. Deputy Mariëtte van Leeuwen emphasized:
Food connects us all. This is the moment to collectively roll up our sleeves and work towards a food system that is good for people, nature, and the economy.”
Seven Ambitions for the Future
The province has formulated seven focal points that provide direction for the food agenda for South Holland:
- Food from the Region – A significant portion of our food will come from the region by 2040, with strong connections between producers and consumers.
- Healthy Choices for Residents – Food education and a healthy food environment will make healthy eating the logical, easy, and affordable choice in 2040.
- South Holland as a Guiding Region for Sustainable Food Production – Innovation and entrepreneurship will make the province a leader in future-proof food production by 2040.
- Zero Waste in South Holland – By 2040, food waste will be reduced by 75% through better alignment between production and consumption.
- Strong Future Prospects for Farmers – A healthy food system provides agricultural entrepreneurs with a profitable business model and a fair income.
- New Protein Sources – South Holland is internationally at the forefront of developing plant-based and alternative proteins.
- Biotechnology as a Driver for Sustainable Innovation – South Holland excels in 2040 in biotechnology for innovative food products and resilient crops.
Working Together: Action Agendas and Concrete Projects
To realize these ambitions, the province collaborates with entrepreneurs, municipalities, and knowledge institutions on concrete action agendas. An example is the approach to food waste. Together with Rotterdam, The Hague, and other partners, they are looking at how to better utilize waste streams from the food industry.
Axians, a software developer wishing to contribute to societal challenges, has developed an application where supply and demand for waste streams meet.
The Slow Food Youth Network (a network for young professionals committed to healthy, sustainable, and fair food for everyone) is also exploring new possibilities to reduce food waste.
During the Food Festival, the RotterBammetje was also presented, a sandwich made entirely from local nature-inclusive ingredients. And we were able to enjoy Falafels from the company Falafval, which makes delicious, crispy falafel from rescued vegetables.
A Joint Task for a Nutritious Future
The Food Festival was an inspiring day full of ideas, knowledge exchange, and concrete actions. The province of South Holland invites all stakeholders to work together on a food system that is fair, sustainable, and healthy. This is the beginning of a shared movement in which governments, entrepreneurs, and residents take steps together.
Do you want to think along and participate? Keep an eye on developments and stay involved in the future of our food!