Voedselcirkel Amsterdam
About us
We connect Food Circle partners with food that is nearing its expiration date by collecting it from suppliers.
In addition, we are working on the following
Sustainable Development Goals:
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Food hub
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FoodWiki residual streams system
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Redistribute surplus food
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Contact suppliers
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Making transport future-proof
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Visibility & Findability
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Contact with food initiatives
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Making food waste streams visible
Why
In the Netherlands, 2 billion kg of food is wasted annualy! This occurs throughout the food chain, from the field to the plate. (source: Food Waste Monitor Update 2009-2018).
Those 2 billion kilos of food equates to approximately 5.5 billion kilos of CO2 emissions. In 2030, the Netherlands has commited to halving food waste, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of the United Nations. This means reducing food waste by 1 billion kg per year in the Netherlands, a significant challenge, but achievable!
On the other hand, over 500,000 out of 7.5 million Dutch households live below the poverty line, according to CBS. Many of them skip a warm meal a few times a week. At the same time, an increasing number of people in the Netherlands feel lonely. In 2020, 47% of adults in the Netherlands reported feeling lonely. A worrisome percentage.
Food Circle Amsterdam is determined to embrace a circular and social food chain. We bring together surplus food and the demand for food, with a purpose. We take incoming ingredients and distribute them to social kitchens that prepare meals for the homeless, lonely elderly and people with limited financial means. This not only reduces CO2 emissions by combating food waste, but actively contributes to combating loneliness and poverty.
Impact, Commitment and Growth
32,000 kg
1,003,500 kg
saved food per month
CO2 reduction per year
272,000 kg
food rescued
Voedselcirkel Amsterdam launched a distribution network in 2022 and has since saved 940,000 kilos of food, which is equivalent to a reduction of 23,500,000 kilos of CO2 emissions.
In the coming years, we aim to develop a fully-fledged food hub in Amsterdam, enabling even more food to be saved and contributing to social initiatives in Amsterdam's neighborhoods.
Together we are creating a circular, social food chain. We want to collaborate with other cities, sustainably for each other.
So help out!
DONATE money or resources
HELP a food circle partner
BECOME a food circle supplier
Team
Vidary Koster
Treasurer
Jeffrey Spangenburg
Secretary
Anton Boonstra
Board member
Thomas Horn
Board member
Vincent Paul
Organization, online admin, fundraising & logistics
Leonie Verkleij
Food Hub & Logistics Coordinator
More info about the team: Vidary Koster - Treasurer and co-founder of Voedselcirkel Amsterdam, has a background in financial administration and sustainability projects. She has previous board experience at a food initiative. As Treasurer of VA, Vidary is responsible for strategic vision and financial management, with a focus on community support. Jeffrey Spangenberg - Secretary of Voedselcirkel Amsterdam, has a background in anthropology and business administration. He specializes in organizational change and social entrepreneurship, with a focus on sustainability and social innovation. Jeffrey is involved in various food and sustainability initiatives. Anton Boonstra - Board member of Voedselcirkel Amsterdam, focusing on logistics, ICT, and strategic projects. He has over forty years of experience in Supply Chain & ICT, since 2003 as an independent interim manager in the food sector. His focus is on organizing storage, sorting, and distribution more intelligently to reduce food waste and make food available to supporting organizations. Thomas Horn - Board member of Voedselcirkel Amsterdam. Background in sustainable finance & investment, innovation in transition domains. Actively working to make an innovation and investment platform in Food & Agritech independent and scale it up (Foodbytes), and as a committed Amsterdam resident, motivated to help advance local initiatives. Vincent Paul – Medical anthropologist and sociologist, researches how we keep each other healthy. He is the initiator of various initiatives and the designer of https://www.voedselwiki.nl, organizer of logistics, data, and the first point of contact. Leonie Verkleij – an experienced project manager and producer from Amsterdam, specializing in events and community-driven initiatives. With her strong organizational skills, practical approach, and broad network, she knows how to effectively connect people, resources, and logistics. Additionally, she is a plant-based lifestyle coach and has completed various health and sports training courses, allowing her to build a broad knowledge base in the field of (plant-based) nutrition, exercise, and vitality. As a coordinator at Voedselcirkel Amsterdam, she applies this knowledge and experience with great energy and enthusiasm to organize food flows, guide volunteers, and build collaborations with food initiatives. Her positive, decisive attitude and strong commitment to sustainability, health, and social impact make her a natural connector in the fight against food waste and food poverty.