Schouten and Agrifirm Collaborate on Local Tempeh Chain

In a promising development in the agricultural sector, Schouten Europe and Agrifirm have announced their partnership to explore the feasibility of a local tempeh chain. This announcement was made during the World Pulse Week, with the consumer initiative #BEANMEAL taking center stage. Stemming from the Bean Deal of the National Protein Strategy, this collaboration underscores both companies' shared dedication to sustainability and innovation in food production.

The joint efforts of Schouten Europe and Agrifirm will focus on developing new market concepts for sustainable cultivation, minimizing environmental impact. Rens Kuijten, Business Developer Plant-Based Solutions at Agrifirm, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration: "We're committed to the protein transition and are collaborating with chain partners and growers on innovative solutions that promote biodiversity while maintaining or even improving returns for growers."

Feasibility Study

The feasibility study, jointly conducted, targets various aspects of the production chain, including the technical and commercial feasibility of local soybean cultivation for tempeh production. Henk Schouten, founder of Schouten Europe, explains: "As Schouten, we have extensive experience in tempeh production and see potential in using Dutch soybeans and field beans instead of imported soy. By collaborating with Agrifirm, we can explore the quality and technical feasibility of processing these local protein sources."

Pilot

In 2023, with support from Agrifirm, Schouten Europe initiated a pilot project with one hectare of soybean cultivation among growers in Woudrichem. This year, more growers will be involved in this collaboration, cultivating various soybean varieties. The growers' participation demonstrates the agricultural community's willingness to contribute to more sustainable food production.

Tempeh

The emphasis on tempeh as a protein-rich, entirely plant-based option reflects the growing demand for alternatives to animal proteins. With this collaboration, Schouten Europe and Agrifirm aim for a promising future of sustainable food production, where local protein sources play a central role.

schoutenfood.com