How the Food Systems Innovation Challenge is Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders.

Climate change. Biodiversity loss. Food insecurity. The challenges facing our global food systems are immense—but what if the solutions lie in the hands of the next generation? Enter the Food Systems Innovation Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower young leaders to rethink food systems through Nature-based Solutions.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mirjam Troost, Youth Engagement Officer at Wageningen University, and Bente Meindertsma, Partnership Builder at Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), to explore how this challenge is bridging the gap between youth innovation and real-world impact. The Food Systems Innovation Challenge isn’t just about ideas—it’s about action. Students in the program gain access to influential stakeholders, high-level events, and university support to turn their visions into reality.

But this challenge is more than a competition—it’s a movement. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the initiative connects students from diverse fields, giving them the tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience to drive meaningful change. Whether it’s through policy, entrepreneurship, or community engagement, these young innovators are proving that the future of food systems starts with them.

Join us in The Beehive as we dive into the stories, strategies, and successes of the Food Systems Innovation Challenge. Because when it comes to solving the world’s biggest food challenges, youth aren’t just the future—they’re the answer.

What if the future of sustainable animal feed isn’t found in fields or factories—but in insects? The Insect Farming East Africa (IN-FEAST) Partnership officially launched in 2025, marking a bold step toward transforming East Africa’s food systems.
Backed by the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP) for the next three years, this initiative brings together IFIP (Association for Insect Farming and Its Products), New Generation Nutrition, and Fair & Sustainable to unlock the potential of insects as a game-changing alternative for animal feed.
In this episode, we explore how IN-FEAST is tackling three critical challenges to scale the insect farming industry in Kenya and East Africa:

1. Strengthening collaboration among farmers, businesses, and policymakers.
2. Building skills and capacity to ensure high-quality, consistent insect production.
3. Improving access to finance to help insect farming businesses thrive.

From developing a learning library of best practices to mapping the investment landscape, the partnership is laying the groundwork for an inclusive, efficient, and sustainable insect farming sector. The goal? To close nutrient cycles, boost food security, and create economic opportunities—all while reducing reliance on conventional feed inputs.
Join us in The Beehive as we dive into the world of insect farming and discover how tiny creatures are making a huge impact on East Africa’s food future.
Ready to rethink the future of feed? Tune in—because sometimes, the smallest solutions create the biggest change.

More information:
https://www.nfpconnects.com

https://www.nfpconnects.com/insights/kick-off-in-feast-partnership

https://aifip.africa/

What if the key to solving global food challenges lies in investing in people? Since 2013, the Young Expert Programmes (YEP) have been doing just that—by empowering the next generation of leaders in Agrofood and Water to drive sustainable change in developing countries and emerging markets.
In this episode, Marjan Riepma dives deep into the mission of YEP Agrofood, a program that connects Dutch young professionals with their peers from around the world for a 1- to 2-year career launchpad. Through hands-on experience, training, and access to a global network, these Young Experts are not just building their careers—they’re building solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From fieldwork to boardrooms, YEP Agrofood is proving that investing in young talent is one of the most sustainable investments we can make. Join us as we explore how this program is shaping the future of food systems, one Young Expert at a time.
Ready to meet the changemakers? Tune in to Welcome to the Beehive—where the seeds of today grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
Interested in joining or supporting the next generation of Agrofood leaders? This episode is your starting point.
More info the YEP website: https://www.yepprogrammes.com/

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What if the price tag on your groceries told the whole story? Right now, it doesn’t. Every product we buy—from bananas to beef—carries hidden costs: pollution, biodiversity loss, unfair wages, and the long-term toll on our planet. These costs don’t show up at checkout, but they’re paid for by the environment, taxpayers, and future generations.Enter True Price, an approach that’s not about raising prices but about revealing them. In this episode, we explore how the Netherlands Food Partnership and the True Price Foundation work together on the the Global Partnership for the True Price of Food (GPTPF). To empower governments, businesses, and consumers with the tools to make food that’s healthy, sustainable, and affordable for all.From the critically endangered orangutang losing their habitats to the nitrogen pollution choking our soil and water, the hidden costs of our food system are global—and urgent. But there’s hope. Through scalable pilots, policy innovation, and collaborative strategies, the GPTPF is working to close the "true price gap" and create a food system where everyone pays fairly—including the planet.Welcome to The Beehive as we unpack how 'True Price of Food' can transform the way we produce, buy, and consume food. Because the first step to change? Knowing the real cost.

• More info by GAIN Health on True Price https://www.gainhealth.org/resources/reports-and-publications/true-cost-assessment-methods-quantifying-multi-dimensional
• NFP Connects page: https://www.nfpconnects.com/communities/global-partnership-for-the-true-price-of-food
• True Price Festival 2026: https://www.nfpconnects.com/events/true-price-festival-2026

Biodiversity is essential to resilient, sustainable food systems. This episode shares how the Bridging Biodiversity and Food Systems Partnership, now 160+ members strong, is helping shift that understanding into action. From co-creating learning spaces to supporting real-world use cases, the partnership is forging new paths for collaboration across food and nature.

Learn more and join the community: https://www.nfpconnects.com/communities/bridging-biodiversity-and-food-systems

Also check out their newest publication "Food & Biodiversity in Action: learning from 10 journeys to sustainable futures": https://www.nfpconnects.com/insights/food-biodiversity-in-action-learning-from-10-journeys-to-sustainable-futures

Dive into the full use cases bundle: Where Food Meets Biodiversity: https://issuu.com/netherlandsfoodpartnership/docs/full-bundle-where-food-meets-biodiversity_web?fr=sZGE4NTg4ODI2OTQ

What if transforming global food systems started with free education? For the 6th year in a row, the Netherlands Food Partnership and Wageningen UR are breaking barriers with their Food Systems E-Course, backed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This isn’t just another online course—it’s a movement.

In this episode, Wim Goris takes us behind the scenes of the 2025 edition, where a record-breaking 2,200+ professionals and 40+ teams from low- and middle-income countries came together to rethink food security. Designed for policymakers, NGOs, private-sector leaders, and educators, this course isn’t just about learning—it’s about collaboration. Discover the new team-based approach, how the organisers work with AI.

Missed this year’s registration? Join https://www.nfpconnects.com/ This course is a game-changer for anyone serious about food systems and nutrition security.

Welcome to the Beehive is where we take a closer at partnerships that are dedicated to strengthening our food systems. Each episode dives into real-world challenges and emerging solutions that impact how we grow, share, and access food—especially in low- and middle-income countries.Hosted by the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), the podcast features honest conversations with partners from across the public, private, civil society, and research sectors.

World Food Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a call to action. But how do we move beyond awareness and turn ambition into impact? Ivo Demmers, Executive Director at the Netherlands Food Partnership, joins us to unpack the true purpose of World Food Day in the Netherlands. Spoiler: It’s not just about producing more food—it’s about transforming food systems as a whole.In this episode, Ivo shares his insights on who World Food Day is really for, why systemic change requires collaboration across sectors, and how to harness the momentum—what he calls "wind in your sail"—to drive meaningful projects and partnerships. Whether you’re a policymaker, a farmer, or simply someone who cares about the future of food, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and act smarter. Welcome to the Beehive—because ending hunger isn’t a solo mission. It’s something we do together.

What does it take to become a seed nerd? For Ninja Lacey, Knowledge Broker at the Netherlands Food Partnership and part of SeedNL, it’s about passion, curiosity, and a deep belief in the power of seeds to transform food systems. With a background as diverse as the crops she champions, Ninja bridges the gap between science, policy, and grassroots action.

In this episode, we explore Ninja’s journey—from her early fascination with seeds to leading SeedNL’s flagship projects, which are redefining biodiversity, resilience, and food security. Discover how seeds aren’t just the start of a plant, but the foundation of a movement, and learn how you can be part of sowing a more sustainable future.

Tune in to The Beehive—where every seed holds a story, and every story sparks change.