Harm Veerkamp

BDiSInsights: Last year, I shared a post questioning the business case of Beyond Meat, and recent developments (article in Dutch below) have further validated that skepticism: "Meat substitute manufacturer Beyond Meat has seen a significant decline in demand for its products in the first quarter of this year. Sales of the American company fell by 18 percent to the equivalent of 70.4 million euros." This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of evaluating business initiatives based on merit rather than ideology. While it's tempting to champion ideologically driven projects, the reality is that success always hinges on meeting consumer demands and market dynamics. Beyond Meat's struggles underscore the dangers of prioritizing ideology over market fit. This lesson extends beyond (sic) the food industry to other sectors, such as renewable energy, where ambitious projects face serious challenges, not in the least due to operational realities, or worse, a blindspot for efficient alternatives such as nuclear energy. As business leaders, it's imperative that we approach every opportunity with a critical eye and a commitment to evidence-based decision-making. Let's use this as a catalyst to reassess top-down initiatives and ensure they are grounded in sound business principles rather than ideological fervor. #BusinessStrategy #MarketFit #BeyondMeat #ConsumerDemand #RenewableEnergy #EvidenceBasedDecisionMaking #BDiSInsights https://lnkd.in/evXS7tGR

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𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 & 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞! 4 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 57 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬! Today was the kick off of our newest module: 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! Laura Nobel from GFLI started the module, this is a quote from her: "The interest from the participants to understand sustainability metrics was clear. The questions raised fit the current climate to find a balance in harmonization of methodologies and practical usability of the data. A level of uniformity is key to allow comparability in environmental footprints while still upholding flexibility towards the various feed ingredients in scope. Thanks to SFR for giving a platform for GFLI to speak!" Thereafter followed our colleagues Roger Davin, Jan Fledderus & Wilfried van Straalen: they went into detail on their respective animal specific species view about this topic. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬: Xandra Benthem de Grave, our sow expert at SFR, explained during the 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 which nutritional strategies can be applied to support the farrowing process of sows and colostrum intake of piglets to improve piglet performance During the 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 Lotte Stokvis spoke about slow-growing broiler concepts, which led to a nice discussion about the contradictions between effects on welfare, the environment, costs and the societal perception. And during the 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞, our cow fertility expert Anne Rosi Guadagnin explained that management of the transition period is quite tricky as you need to avoid over-conditioning dairy cows in the dry period while maximizing nutrient intake in the postpartum. Nutritional strategies to reach this will also benefit immune response, minimize disorders and improve fertility, thus setting up the cow for a successful lactation. However, is important to remember that nutritional strategies are great at preventing problems, but definitely work better in association with optimal management practices. Tonight we will share together good food and nice discussions at a very nice restaurant: EVE Foodclub & Bar in Zaandam! https://lnkd.in/eNHrNCvj

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May 12 is International Day of Plant Health Did you know that plants provide 80% of the food we eat and 98% of the oxygen we breathe? 🌱 The Netherlands works with international partners to ensure sustainable plant health, taking strong action to protect our planet's delicate ecosystems and ensure food security for generations to come. As a large player in plant trade, the Netherlands conducts rigorous inspections and adheres to the highest standards to safeguard against invasive pests and diseases. We're working hard to prevent the spread of plant pests across borders, helping reduce global economic losses that amount to over 200 billion euros annually! Learn how the Netherlands’ Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is collaborating with international partners, promoting environmentally-friendly practices, and implementing digital solutions like electronic phytosanitary certification to make trade safer and more efficient. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eDJyDeTi Join us in our journey towards a more sustainable and resilient future! #FarmingtheFuture #PlantHealthDay #international #trade #NVWA#NLNetherlands#Netherlands Agricultural Network https://lnkd.in/eADzeQQn

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This is a very good example of the disconnect with Toxicity testing for consumers. Adding labels telling the consumer to “wash” the product isn’t providing guidance to the public, when the actual TOXIN is IN the product itself. This shows the labelling doesn’t reflect the harms. The realistic approach would be ban the toxic chemicals themselves and let people eat safely in the first place.

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❇ Yesterday, the European Plant-Based Foods Association (ENSA) attended with great interest the symposium, ‘Sharing experiences and perspectives on Nutri-Score and other front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems’, hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024. 🇪🇺🇧🇪   ❇ The European #plantbasedfood sector supports the implementation of voluntary Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) systems, based on transparent and objective criteria and robust scientific evidence, to facilitate consumer choices towards healthier dietary options. ✅ 🍽   ❇ However, regarding #NutriScore ENSA advocates for the urgent recategorization of plant-based drinks from beverages to food and for including mycoprotein into the list of fruits and vegetables for a more inclusive calculation to effectively help consumers in making well-informed decisions about their food choices. ❎ 🥛 🍏 🥦 #FOPNL #NutriScore #plantbasedfood

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Want to know more about Sucrose Esters in Vegan Products? Join our webinar on May 23rd at 10.00h. In this 20-minute webinar, we will cover the following topics: • Vegan alternatives for dairy products • Vegan alternatives for egg-containing products To join this webinar please get in touch with lia.bax@sisterna.com #Vegan #SucroseEsters #Food #Emulsifer #DairyAlternative #EggAlternative

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🌱 Excited to share key findings from the bachelor´s thesis from Nasia Varitis (International Business) on sustainable food production for NGN - New Generation Nutrition. Client Situation: NGN is a #social enterprise specializing in consultancy, training, and R&D for #insectbased food and feed. With offices in The Netherlands, Spain, and Nigeria, they aim to expand to Latin America, starting with Colombia. Their mission is to promote #sustainable #feeding systems by replacing traditional protein sources with insect-based alternatives, economically benefiting smallholder farmers. 👀 Research Objective: the study, aimed to support NGN's expansion by assessing the feasibility of establishing a low-tech #BlackSoldierFly (BSF) farm in Valle del Cauca, #Colombia, by 2024. 👉 Key Conclusions & Recommendations: 🦗 Feasibility Assessment: After analysing available resources, costs, and sustainability factors, we concluded that the project is feasible. 🚛 Supply Chain & Operations: Recommendations include planning for transportation challenges and ensuring infrastructure robustness. 💲 Financial Implications: Strategies involve building partnerships with local restaurants for food procurement. ♻ Sustainability & Governmental Aspects: Education initiatives for Colombian farmers and collaboration with governmental institutions like ICA and CVC are advised to address regulatory gaps and build trust. This research aims to provide NGN with actionable insights to support their mission of promoting sustainable food production. Looking forward to driving positive change in the food industry together! #SustainableFood #Innovation #Research #ColombiaExpansion #NGN #FoodSecurity #SocialImpact #circulareconomy #businessinnovation #bachelor #research #internationalization Dr. Sonja Floto-Stammen Marieke M. Brinkman MEd. MA Natalia Naranjo Guevara Raffaela Schreurs

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📢 Prepare to uncover more insights from our ENFASYS case studies! In our third webinar, we'll dissect real-life barriers obstructing the transition to sustainable practices in agriculture. ✔ Explore the Flemish ENFASYS case study from Belgium, focusing on the sustainable growth of organic vegetable production in open air. Learn about the challenges faced by farmers and the strategies they're implementing to overcome them. 🌱🥕 🌟🗓️ Save the Date: May 15th at 11:00 CET 🌱 Topic: "Barriers to Sustainable Agriculture Uptake: Enfasys Case Studies" 📝 Don't miss it: https://lnkd.in/dvdWJ9_7 🌱🌍 . . . . . ILVO (Instituut voor Landbouw, Visserij- en Voedingsonderzoek) CEJA Young Farmers Association of Balkan Eco - Innovation GAIA EPICHEIREIN S.A. Montpellier Business School NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research Université catholique de Louvain Institut de l'Elevage (idele) Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL

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🌾🚀 Top developments this week in Food Tech and Innovations: 🥩 Mosa Meat's Major Milestone: Dutch company Mosa Meat secures €40M to ramp up production, signaling a bold leap forward in the cultivated meat market, with a tasting of its pioneering burger slated just before its Singapore launch. 🌱 McCain Foods Bolsters Plant-Based Portfolio: Following an initial investment in 2021, McCain Foods completes the acquisition of Irish plant-based brand Strong Roots, reinforcing its commitment to expanding in the plant-based sector. 💼 Global Food Properties and Cresa Join Forces: In a strategic merger, Global Food Properties combines with Chicago-based real estate firm Cresa, aiming to optimize office and manufacturing space solutions for businesses. 🐾 Nestlé's Major Investment in Pet Nutrition: Nestlé announces a substantial €472m investment in a new pet-food factory in Italy, underscoring its expansion and innovation in the pet nutrition industry. #FoodTech #CorporateExpansion #PlantBasedFuture

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🇪🇺 The Big Story: The EU's First Public Cultivated Meat Tasting - that and more inside Green Queen Media's #FutureFoodWeekly 🇳🇱 Exclusive: Meatable Hosts the EU’s First Public Tasting for Cultivated Meat at Dutch HQ 🎥 Food, Inc. 2 Sheds Light on Big Food, UPFs, Modern Slavery & Cultivated Meat – But Lacks Focus 📚 Price Parity, Job Creation & Investment: Highlights from The Good Food Institute’s Alt-Protein State of the Industry Reports 2024 💰 Mosa Meat Secures €40M in Funding to Expand Production and Speed Up Launch of Cultivated Meat 🇫🇮 Factory 01: Solar Foods Opens World’s First Commercial-Scale Facility for Air Protein 💵 Perfect Day Faces $134M Lawsuit by Manufacturing Partner for Breach of Contract & Unpaid Bills 🇫🇷 French Court Suspends Government Ban on Use of Meat-Related Terms on Plant-Based Food 🍫 Voyage Foods Pens Deal with Cargill to Expand Cocoa-Free Chocolate & Nut-Free Spreads 📈 The State of European FoodTech: Funding Declines, More Deals, Alt-Protein Wins & Promising Future 🇩🇪 Fully Plant-Based: REWE Opens First 100% Vegan Supermarket in Germany 🥛 Major Losses for Minor Figures, But Oat Milk Brand Now Looks to Become Profitable by 2025 🍔 The 50CUT Burger: US Butchery Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors Embraces Blended Meat with Mush Foods Partnership 🇺🇸 Health Remains Americans’ Key Consideration for Plant Proteins and Cultivated Meat 🌱 Flexitarian Diets Can Reduce Emissions & Help Meet 1.5°C Climate Goal: Study Read the full version here: https://lnkd.in/eywC7xt6 #GreenQueen #altprotein #futurefoods #cultivatedmeat #innovation #sustainability #climatechange -------- Want to see more posts like this? Hit the 🔔 button on our profile so you don't miss any updates. Or subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest in alt protein and sustainability: https://lnkd.in/eMJ7WwXC

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Yesterday we saw the market trade significantly lower for butter. Driven by lower cream prices, cheaper Polish butter appeared, dragging down the sales prices for NL/DE/BE butter as well. Meanwhile, the GDT showed a steady outcome with butte prices still well above € 6000,-. SMP prices traded sideways and didn't show the upward momentum we expected. We are a bit puzzled about the market as prices keep trading up and down without any clear change of fundament. Read our market update for today via the link below.

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The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled against cosmetics ingredients manufacturer Symrise AG, which sought to overturn a decision mandating that it test cosmetics ingredients on thousands of animals. What Are the Ingredients? The cosmetics ingredients at the centre of the appeal – 2-ethylhexyl salicylate and homosalate – are used in sunscreens and other cosmetics to absorb ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun. Many manufacturers and brands are likely to be affected by these decisions, so it’s vital that consumers use the PETA US searchable, online, and global “Beauty Without Bunnies” database of companies that refuse to allow their products to be tested on animals anywhere in the world for any reason. The outcome of the precedent-setting case will not only affect the animal testing requirements for 2-ethylhexyl salicylate and homosalate but also provide clarity regarding how the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation will be interpreted for all cosmetics ingredients. https://lnkd.in/ed4p8YpZ

𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚! While many plant-based proteins are considered incomplete because they lack one or more of the nine essential amino acids, there are some plant-based foods like 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗮 and 𝘀𝗼𝘆 that are complete proteins. For most plant-based eaters, combining different protein sources (e.g., dal and rice) throughout the day can provide all essential amino acids. 🔗 Learn more about balancing your diet with plant-based proteins: Protein - The Project Nourish What are your favorite plant-based protein sources? Let’s discuss! #nutrition #healthyliving #protein #plantbased #wellness

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NEW EPISODE: Where do microbial ingredients fit in the future of pet food formulation? Featuring Katelijne Bekers, co-founder and CEO, MicroHarvest 🎧 Live links online, in Spotify, SoundCloud or your favorite podcast platform! This episode is sponsored by Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health. Join Petfood Industry magazine Editor Lindsay Beaton every other Wednesday as she interviews industry experts and covers hot topics affecting the world of pet food. If pet food is your thing and you want to know what’s trending, tune in! #petfood #petfoodindustry #podcast #consumertrends 

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𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗷𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗵 In an interview with Food Business Review, Cosun Protein’s managing director Thijs Bosch discusses the significance of alternative proteins in shaping the future of food production and sustainability. “In order for alternative proteins to become successful, we need to meet consumer’s expectations on taste, texture and nutrition”, Thijs says. “Cultivating and scaling these new ingredients and products requires significant innovations.” According to Thijs, these innovations call for genuine collaboration within the alternative protein industry. “Partnerships from across the entire value chain, embracing disruptive technology and encouraging new ideas and startups will be crucial in transforming the food system.” Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gY82uFNU #ProteinTranstition #PlantBasedAlternatives #Cooperation

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💥Here are your weekly updates! Here you have our top picks on informed food choices by consumers (👥), supply chain sustainability (🌏), innovative technologies (📱), and food system approach (🥗), as well as upcoming conferences and webinars. This week's highlights: - Report on a five-year scientific research program 'Transparent, healthy and sustainable' completed,   - A paper on the double benefit of eating fewer animal products,   - Joint efforts of Unilever and Meridia are mapping Indonesian oil palm small holders to facilitate RSPO Certification,   - Trade secrets: Vital intellectual property assets #supplychain #sustainability #technology #foodscience #transparency #supplychainsustainability

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