A Recap of WMFC Association’s Inspiring Evening
On 23 September 2024, the WMFC Association Dinner brought together a dynamic community of experts from academia and industry. This special evening marked a key milestone in the journey toward the formal launch of the WMFC Association. More than just a dinner, the event fostered collaboration, sparked meaningful conversations, and showcased our shared commitment to sustainable food practices.
At the heart of the WMFC Association is the vision of a collaborative platform, anchored in our Association Day, where members form a thriving ‘Community of Practice’. Through this initiative, we aim to connect diverse minds, exchange knowledge, and collectively tackle the challenges of sustainable food production and healthy living.
Reflecting this spirit of innovation and exchange, the evening featured an inspiring keynote by Steef Buijs, who offered thought-provoking insights into the future of the global agri-food system in the context of climate change. His presentation set the tone for the evening, reminding us of both the urgency and potential in shaping food systems that serve people and planet.
A highlight of the dinner was the introduction of the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet, a cornerstone of WMFC’s and Giethoorn Hospitality’s shared vision for sustainable and nutritious eating. The meal served as both an awareness campaign and a pilot for an innovative business model: the cost of the nutritious Lancet diet was offset by pricing cultural delicacies. This approach allowed all guests to enjoy a healthy meal free of charge, while making voluntary donations for cultural dishes; a creative step toward making healthy diets more accessible.
Curated by Gabriella of Giethoorn Hospitality, the dinner unfolded over eight beautifully crafted courses with each one balancing nutrition, seasonality, and creativity. Some guests even joined Gabriella in the kitchen beforehand, contributing to the preparation and turning the meal into a shared culinary experience.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed not only the food but also the opportunity to forge new connections and rekindle old ones. From thoughtful discussions on food systems to light-hearted exchanges, the atmosphere was one of openness, inspiration, and camaraderie.
This memorable evening was more than just a gathering, it laid the groundwork for future collaboration through the WMFC Association and reaffirmed our belief in the power of shared meals to drive meaningful change.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this evening so special!
Additional Notes:
The EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet is a science-based dietary framework that promotes both human and planetary health. It emphasises plant-based foods and minimises the consumption of animal products.
Cultural food and drink options, featured as part of this event, included traditional Dutch autumn dishes and beverages. These offerings may not fully align with the EAT-Lancet guidelines but provide valuable cultural context and flavour.
