The market demand for plant-based proteins is growing, but the raw materials often come from far away, in a supply chain that is not always that transparent.
ME-AT has the ambition to build a local and transparent supply chain that have a positive impact on the farmer, nature and consumer. These supply chains consist out of locally grown proteins, from dedicated farmers in a full transparent supply chain, from farm to fork.
Vion's meat chain has come up with successful examples
ME-AT has the ambition to build a local and transparent supply chain that have a positive impact on the farmer, nature and consumer. These supply chains consist out of locally grown proteins, from dedicated farmers in a full transparent supply chain, from farm to fork.
With ME-AT The Alternative, we are now also focusing on building our own balance chain, contributing to the plant-based protein transition towards a sustainable food chain for future generations. A supply chains consist out of locally grown proteins, from dedicated farmers in a full transparent supply chain, from farm to fork.
We do this together with strong chain partners ZLTO, Agrifirm and Herba Ingredients. In spring 2021, 30 hectares of fava beans have been sown. This acreage is expected to increase strongly over the next five years. And not just in the Netherlands: our home countries, Germany and Belgium, are also on the wish list.
As first step, we are using the fava bean. This is a leguminous crop that has a long history on dutch fields. It also has one of the highest protein yield per hectare and provides extra biodiversity and fixes more nitrogen in the field. Finally, it gives the arable farmer an extra crop in the rotation plan, making them less dependent on the standard crops.
