The food industry is constantly evolving, with consumers demanding new and innovative products that are sustainable and healthy. At the same time, governments are pushing for more investment in public health. This creates a need for food companies to focus on innovation and R&D. As a regional development agency Oost NL organizes innovation tours to inspire companies with what our region has to offer.
East Netherlands, also known as Foodvalley, is at the forefront of food innovation, with a dense concentration of innovators, scientists, product developers, and research centers. The presence of food knowledge institutes, multinationals, start-ups, and research centers creates a dynamic ecosystem that is required to be the #1 global innovation hotspot.
Multinationals such as KraftHeinz, Unilever, Nestle, Cargill, DSM, FrieslandCampina, Givaudan, Abbott, and Beyond Meat have set up core R&D facilities in East Netherlands, recognizing the value of being part of this vibrant ecosystem. They are able to stay ahead of the competition by working on and being on top of the latest trends in food innovation.
Innovation tour for Food companies
Our innovation tour offers a tailor-made visit program, free of charge, to help companies get a feel for the variety of what this R&D hotspot has to offer. The innovation tour consists of visiting a variety of organizations and companies that are tagged with one or more broader themes. Late last year, AB InBev, one of the largest brewers in the world, took part in the tour.
"This innovation tour at the world-famous Foodvalley region has been extremely valuable for us. We have been introduced to relevant innovation partners to thrive innovation within AB InBev.”
Esteban Martinez, Global Director Research & Transformation, at AB InBev
Francine Hellinga, advisor Food at Oost NL organized the trip, "We started the tour in the Omnia building on the Wageningen Campus with introductions by Wageningen University & Research. We then took a tour of the Wageningen Campus and were introduced to OnePlanet Research Center, NIZO Food Research, TOP BV, Foodvalley NL, and StartLife, among others."
“The tour provided valuable insights into the latest innovations and developments in the food industry. The visit also allowed participants to network with other professionals in the industry, including startup companies working on new and exciting projects in the Foodvalley region. But most importantly, we were able to showcase the region as a potential location for further R&D development,” Hellinga concludes.
Tailored to your interests
Our innovation tour offers experiences, tailored to your interests and needs. We aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the food innovation landscape in East Netherlands and help you explore the potential that the region has to offer. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you plan your own personalized innovation tour to discover the potential that our region has to offer.
