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A Matter
of Food
Foundation
Is committed to strengthening short food chains and advancing a food system that is sustainable, healthy, and transparent. This is achieved through balanced value creation across economic, ecological, and social interests.
The Need
The food system is broken: 15% of the Amsterdam region cannot afford healthy food, while profit-driven production depletes the environment and concentrates power among corporations. Health, sustainability, and equity are deeply interconnected, yet governance remains fragmented. Most citizens feel disconnected and powerless, deepening a democratic deficit.
Our Mission
The A Matter of Food Foundation participates in the transition to a healthier, more sustainable, and fairer regional food system. It facilitates innovation and experiments to build bridges between government, the business community, and citizen initiatives.
Our pillars of work include:
Insight & Analysis
Gaining a deep understanding of the regional and local food system for mapping flows, identifying bottlenecks, and uncovering opportunities for change
Knowledge & Participation
Sharing accessible information and creating space for diverse voices, ensuring that citizens, policymakers, and partners are informed, engaged, and empowered to act.
Co-Design & Experimentation
Designing, testing, and iterating solutions together with partners for a grounded approach in real-world experience and adapted to local contexts
Collaboration & Network Building
Connecting governments, scientific institutions, citizen initiatives, and market parties within food policy networks to learn from past experiences and shape future solutions together.
Our Objectives
The foundation's objectives are based on collaboration, experimentation, learning, knowledge sharing, and participation
Initiate and support food communities and citizen initiatives as a counterweight to the dominance of market and government
Promote the availability of local (healthy, sustainably produced, affordable) food in the metropolitan area
Contribue to the establishment and expansion of sustainable and efficient regional information & logistics systems for the distribution and transport of food
Contribute to actions to preserve and restore a beautiful and regenerative agricultural landscape in the metropolitan area, both within urban centers and in rural areas
Enhance the quality of greenery and biodiversity in and around cities and villages through urban agriculture
Initiate and strengthen circular practices in the production, transport, processing, and distribution of local food in the Amsterdam MRA
Stimulate the regional economy through the production, processing, and distribution of local food
Monitor developments in the functioning of the food system, with an emphasis on the shortcomings of market mechanisms and food policy of regional and municipal authorities
Board of Foundation
Henkjaan Laats
Secretary
Jan Willem Schans
Chair
Sarah Essbai
Treasurer