What if collaboration could accelerate the shift to more sustainable food? That’s the idea behind The Protein Community, an international network initiated by Foodvalley Nl in 2017 to drive the protein transition. What started in the Netherlands has now grown into a thriving European community helping companies scale new plant-based products, ingredients and technologies.
The Protein Community connects over 150 partners across the whole protein value chain, from crop growers and ingredient suppliers to food manufacturers, retailers and caterers. By linking startups, SMEs, research institutions and corporates, the network helps accelerate innovation and bring new solutions to market.
Through events, expert sessions and matchmaking, members collaborate on key challenges such as texturisation, scale-up, hybrid products, AI and regulation. The community also leads European projects like Like a Pro and Plant Protein Forward. It offers practical tools, such as the Protein Transition Map NL, which showcases over 520 Dutch organisations working in alternative proteins.
From challenge to change
The Protein Community’s approach is simple but powerful: connect expertise across the entire food chain.
✔️ Ingredient producers share breakthroughs in plant-based proteins
✔️ Food manufacturers test new technologies and recipes
✔️ Researchers explore more innovative processing methods
✔️ Retailers and caterers bring innovations to consumers
Together, they turn the protein transition into measurable progress.
A shared mission
The Protein Community’s goal is ambitious yet tangible: achieve a 60-40 balance between plant and animal protein consumption by 2030. The community’s approach is already paying off, with more than 200 new products, ingredients, and technologies having been developed through its network. Behind every success story lies the same principle: collaboration makes progress faster.
Backed by Foodvalley, Dutch provinces, regional development agencies, FoodX, and international partners, The Protein Community shows what’s possible when innovation meets cooperation. Together, they are shaping a more resilient, healthy and sustainable food system.
Join the movement
Want your company to be part of a network that truly makes an impact in the protein transition? Join The Protein Community to unlock opportunities for collaboration, innovation and growth.
🔗 The Protein Community – Foodvalley
📧 Mail to: Community Manager Leo Koning – leo.koning@foodvalley.nl | Project Coordinator Suzan D’Rose – suzan.drose@foodvalley.nl
🤝 Want to learn more about Dutch agrifood innovations? Contact FoodX!