The prize is an initiative of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and was presented for the 15th time this year to the students whose food concept could make the greatest contribution to a healthier and more sustainable diet. Groenola is a healthy breakfast product based on rolled oats, carrot, chickpeas and a little cinnamon and mixed spice, but without added sugar or salt. This means it complies with the Wheel of Five.
Sound substantiation
According to the jury, Groenola paid a great deal of attention to substantiating and developing the product. And healthier options are certainly desirable in the breakfast cereal category, the jury said.
“I am very happy,” says Hilly Lautenbach from the winning Groenola team. “We have worked on it so intensively. We are very convinced of the product. We thought about all aspects and looked carefully at what the Netherlands Nutrition Centre considers important. We certainly intend to bring the product to market.”
“It is wonderful that we were able to present the award to Groenola today,” says Gerda Feunekes, director of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. “This is an innovative and promising product that is also sustainable and complies with the Wheel of Five. We wish the winners every success in bringing their innovation to market.”
Purpose of the prize
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre considers it important to encourage and enthuse students during their studies to think about healthy and sustainable food. With their products, future food professionals can make an important contribution to a healthier and more sustainable diet for consumers. Developing healthy and sustainable products is in line with the agreements made in the National Prevention Agreement in 2018. Among other things, it states that there should be a decrease in the number of adults and children with obesity and excess weight.
The winners
This year there were 25 entries from 6 programmes. Once again, they included original ideas that the jury was very positive about. This year, the jury consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), the Federation of the Dutch Food Industry (FNLI), the retail sector, the Consumers’ Association and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. The presentations and tasting sessions ultimately made the difference.
1st prize - Groenola
Description: Groenola is a breakfast product made from wholegrain rolled oats, carrot, chickpeas, mixed spice and a little cinnamon. Groenola is a healthy alternative without added sugar or salt that fits within the Wheel of Five.
Programme: Nutrition and Dietetics, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
Students: Marrit Heida, Dailiana Kroneman, Hilly Lautenbach, Nel Jensma
2nd prize - Pizza in your waffle
Description: Pizza in your Waffle is a savoury vegetable waffle topped with ingredients reminiscent of a pizza. The whole product contains 195 g of vegetables, which you only see once you have finished the waffle.
Programme: Food Innovation, HAS University of Applied Sciences
Students: Roel Vink, Lisa Dorsman, Margriet Schouten, Laury Schrijnemaekers
3rd prize - Fabalicious
Description: Fabalicious is a light spread for bread made partly from strawberries. It is a healthier alternative to jam; it contains fewer calories and less sugar.
Programme: European Master in Food Studies, Wageningen University
Students: Liselore Marcuse, Lina von Hackewitz
Best label
The prize for best label was won by the concept ‘Breekers by Moon’s Backery’ from The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Monica van Nieuwkoop had paid careful attention to the label. Not only had she properly worked out all the legally required elements, the label also looked very appealing, according to the jury.
About the prize
The Food Innovation Bachelor’s Award is organised for students from all food-related university of applied sciences and university programmes. Participants develop a new product or concept, or adapt an existing product so that it contributes to a healthier and more sustainable diet. The entries are assessed by a professional jury, and the nominees are given the opportunity to present their product during a mini-symposium. The participant receiving the best assessment wins the prize.
Video of the award ceremony
VMT, the trade journal for the food industry, made a video of the announcement. It includes an introduction by Gerda Feunekes, director of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and an interview with the winning team.
Photo caption: Team Groenola with Charles Wijnker, director of Nutrition, Health Protection and Prevention at the Ministry of VWS (Health, Welfare and Sport), and Gerda Feunekes, director of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Photo: Sylvester Jimenez.