21 November 2023
My name is Simone and as the community manager for Brave New Food I will initiate movements and networks which accelerate innovation and contribute to sustainable food systems!
Higher Agricultural School
Driven by my passion for nature, food, and beverage, I have completed the Food Innovation program at the Higher Agricultural School. Since I was young it has been important for me to contribute to a food system that is suitable for the 21st century. I believe it's important to support initiatives that contribute to a balanced system where humanity is central. I always want to put this idealistic ideology into practice and in my new role at Brave New Food, I can make this happen! !
Albert Heijn
After completing my studies, I started at Albert Heijn as an innovation specialist. Together with an innovation team, the 'food rebels,' we worked to stimulate and accelerate innovation on the shop floor. We built, among other things, a vegan shelf, the startup shelf, and organized the Product Pitch to give young companies a platform, test products, and pave the way to the shelf.
Slow Food Youth Network
In addition to developing and innovating, I believe that nonconformity and looking outward lead to progress. To broaden my knowledge and be inspired by fresh perspectives throughout the entire chain, I participated in the SFYN Academy. A versatile and interactive program for curious young individuals with a passion for food. Over six months, we traveled throughout the Netherlands for workshops, lectures, and conversations with farmers, fishermen, chefs, scientists, marketers, policymakers, and most importantly, with each other.
De Seizoensarbeiders
The food chain itself has been my school and I have had the opportunity to work in various places. One season, during Covid, I supported ‘'de seizoensarbeiders' (the seasonal workers). Several people from SFYN joined forces when Dutch farmers struggled to find enough seasonal workers for their fieldwork due to the pandemic. We helped them to connect suddenly unemployed workers with farmers who were short of labor. These kinds of initiatives make a real difference. The strength of such networks, just like Brave New food, is therefore extremely valuable to me.
Brave New Food
We are searching for a new balance. Between the production and consumption of food and the Earth's carrying capacity. Meanwhile, the citizen has a loud opinion, while that same person as a consumer makes choices that sometimes contradict it.
For a long time now, I have been consumed with answering what our world needs in food. Technological development, the market, as well as policy and behavioral change all play a role in that transition. I don't believe in a single solution or blueprint for the whole. From my role at Brave New Food, I want to strengthen the developments of companies and let the changes brought by startups thrive. It is my personal mission within Brave New Food to create change and connection.
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