FrieslandCampina and De Nieuwe Melkboer enter into a partnership
De Nieuwe Melkboer and FrieslandCampina will work together to further develop a local chain for plant-based dairy alternatives with a good earning model for the farmer. De Nieuwe Melkboer, an initiative of a FrieslandCampina member, supplies the first soy alternatives for milk and yoghurt from Dutch soil. With the collaboration, De Nieuwe Melkboer can make use of FrieslandCampina’s knowledge and expertise and thus continue to grow and develop.
De Nieuwe Melkboer arose from the family dairy farm of the Grobben family from Enschede. They have been supplying milk to the FrieslandCampina cooperative for generations, and as the youngest generation, Bart and Tom Grobben have decided to initiate the transition to a plant-based ‘dairy farm’. They make plant-based alternatives to dairy products from locally grown protein crops with extra attention to people, animals, the environment and climate.
They are responding to a growing demand for plant-based dairy alternatives and local products. “Funnily enough, there were no local dairy alternatives available yet. And we thought that had to change”, according to Bart and Tom Grobben. De Nieuwe Melkboer has been on the market for a year and a half with a soy drink and a vegetable alternative to yogurt and has the ambition to further expand its range and the availability of the products. “The Netherlands has a progressive agricultural sector and this also includes a local chain for plant-based dairy alternatives. And we believe that FrieslandCampina can help us like no other with all of its knowledge and expertise”, according to Bart and Tom Grobben.
“As a leading food company with a strong dairy core, FrieslandCampina is always looking at how it can support its members’ initiatives, especially if this can create value for members. The market always comes first: what are the needs of the consumer? De Nieuwe Melkboer responds creatively to two important trends: local and plant-based. We think it’s great that De Nieuwe Melkboer originates from the dairy farm of one of our members and we are happy to support Bart and Tom in realizing their dream. We look forward to working with De Nieuwe Melkboer and learning from each other,” adds Dustin Woodward, Managing Director FrieslandCampina Netherlands.