Collaboration over competition: Marjolein Brasz’s vision ahead of Food Matters Live, Rotterdam

As Food Matters Live makes its continental debut in Rotterdam, Marjolein Brasz, CEO of Foodvalley, is bringing a message that’s equal parts urgent and uplifting: real change in food and nutrition begins with people — not systems.

The big idea: collaboration as catalyst
“In turbulent times, systems don’t change — people do,” says Brasz. Her upcoming session will explore how strategic collaboration can help companies meet their CSRD targets while empowering farmers in negotiations. She’ll also unpack the shifting political dynamics shaping the food landscape, urging attendees to rethink how entrepreneurs, retailers, and innovators can work together to make sustainability, health, and business mutually reinforcing rather than competitive.

Stories that inspire
Brasz is most excited to share real-world success stories from the Foodvalley network — proof that innovation thrives through connection:
Peter and Bart Grobben, who brought soy yogurt to 300 supermarkets
André Jurries, whose lupin beans now enrich bread at a major bakery chain
Madeleine Gielens, turning food side streams into new culinary creations
Maarten van Dam, leading regenerative farming with corporate support
“These aren’t abstract innovations,” Brasz emphasises. “They’re tangible examples of how collaboration drives progress.”

Conversations that matter
Offstage, Brasz is eager to connect with fellow changemakers working at the intersection of nutrition science, ingredient innovation, and product development. She’s especially keen to explore how research insights can be accelerated into shelf-ready products — while ensuring fairness for farmers, value for consumers, and viability for businesses.

A homecoming with high expectations
Having studied in Rotterdam, Brasz is looking forward to returning to familiar streets with fresh purpose. “I’m genuinely excited to see the energy of this community come alive,” she shares. Alongside new faces and bold ideas, she’s especially looking forward to sessions led by colleagues Leo Koning, Sabine Poelmann, and Ileen Wilkes — each promising inspiration in their own right.
As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: Marjolein Brasz isn’t just presenting a session. She’s championing a movement — where collaboration becomes the cornerstone of a healthier, more sustainable food future.