Food100 presents the Food100 for the eighth time, a list of, according to the organisation, "the 100 most important Dutch food changers of the moment. The list consists of impact makers working towards a future-proof food system with more sustainable, healthy and social food and drink for all. From farmer to plate. Agriculture, innovation, consultancy or communication, these hundred game changers have solutions and ideas for every link in the food chain.
From a horticulture perspective, the name of Lotte van Rijn, CEO of Certhon, stands out in this edition. There was not much horticultural technology on the list in recent years. Certhon draws attention with new cultivation systems and also with robot Artemy, developed together with Denso.
The Food100 list consists of 50 inspiring young talents under 35 and 50 experienced impact makers over 35. Many challengers this year are focusing on reducing food waste and working on the protein transition, for example with hybrid solutions that combine animal and vegetable proteins. There is also a lot of focus on improving the food environment by presenting a more sustainable or healthier food offering in care facilities or along motorways. Product development is also popular, with special ingredient innovations such as student Anouk Rustenburg's research into duckweed as the food of the future.
Making an impact within the food chain
The Food100 list consists of a huge diversity of people, from animal rights activists to the CEO of Albert Heijn. "We deliberately make room for students and small initiatives as well as established names from the top of large companies," says jury president Lisanne van Oosterhoud. "Small organisations are faster, make easier choices and are good at kicking against the system. Big companies are often slower, but with a small improvement they make a lot of impact immediately."
Stage that takes people further
With the Food100, initiators AgriFood Capital, Food Hub, Food Inspiration and Slow Food Youth Network and the judges want to give food changers a stage. "A place on the list gives people a push, it offers opportunities to increase or broaden their impact," says Van Oosterhoud. "I hope that food changers seek each other out with questions and proposals to work together. After all, the Food100 list is also meant to show people that they are not fighting the battle alone. They are surrounded by 99 others who are also working very hard to change the food system!"
Food100 is not a ranking or competition, but a current selection of 100 impact makers in agrifood. The list is therefore arranged alphabetically. All nominees provided a motivation to earn their place on this list and thus become part of the Food100 network.
Six food changers from the Food100 list will be named Food Hero 2024 for their outstanding achievements. On Friday 22 November, during a networking lunch, the Food100 jury will announce who will receive this special mention.
The Food100 jury
The Food100 was compiled by an independent professional jury. More than 350 entries were assessed on four criteria to arrive at the final list: decisiveness, innovativeness, sustainability and the extent to which the candidate shares knowledge and insights.
The 2024 expert jury consists of nine expert professionals from the food sector, each with their own expertise:
- Jury president Lisanne van Oosterhoud, programme manager Next Tech Food Factories, and is part of World Food Forum, RVO Participation Table Food Transition and Climate Pact Ambassadors
- Anouk Snelders, founder and co-owner of Health Food Wall
- Bas Turk, founder of TommyTomato
- Herman Lelieveldt, author and food policy expert at University College Roosevelt
- Ivar van Dorst, founder of farm and farm shop Ekoto
- Maartje Nelissen, partner at The Food Line-up and co-owner Plant FWD
- Rahaf Al Lemoni, founder Daffee
- Sheila Struyck, venture partner and co-founder at NBI Impact Investors and chef of sustainable gastronomy
- Wouter Staal, sustainability strategist and founder and CEO of YB and Climates
View the 2024 Food100 list here.