ZoBio

Why this project?

Healthy and tasty food should be part of the care offer. When this food also carries the story of a local farmer, it can create additional value. The existing collaboration between AZ Zeno and CSA Polderveld showed that this was possible and offered inspiration for others. At the same time, every care kitchen and farm has its own way of working, product range, needs and practical constraints. ZoBio was launched to support 6 different partnerships in practice. By bringing the parties together, the project created opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences. 

Methodology and expected results

Catering with more local products is possible, but it requires a tailored approach. ZoBio built on the inspiring example of AZ Zeno and Het Polderveld and supported five new partnerships between care institutions and organic farmers. As every kitchen and farm operates differently, each lolooked for solutions that matched the local context: infrastructure, staffing, available space, product range, volumes, quality, delivery and processing.

A key success factor was taking the time to get to know each other. Visits to the field and the kitchen gave chefs greater insight into the story behind the products and the added value of local products. Demand and supply were then aligned in a practical way. Barriers such as cutting or logistics were addressed with tailored solutions for each partnership, for example through in-house equipment or external processing.

All partnerships resulted in actual deliveries and in the ambition to grow further. Initial hesitation gradually made way for enthusiasm: chefs became ambassadors, as also shown in the testimonials captured on video.

The learning networks also created space to share experiences, inspire one another and encourage other care institutions and farmers to set up similar collaborations.

ZoBio Curando vzw - Plukhof Beernem

ZoBio Maria Middelares - Goedinge

ZoBio - Zorgband Leie & Schelde en Plukboerderij Grondig

ZoBio - AZ Zeno - Het Polderveld - 't Livinushof

ZoBio - Herpendalvallei - Zorggroep Sint-Kamillus

Access to the project results

Keen to get started too? The ZoBio brochure (in Dutch) and the video (in Dutch) showcasing the different forms of collaboration offer plenty of useful tips and practical advice.

Follow-up actions 

Thanks to the broad knowledge dissemination during the ZoBio project, support for local products in care settings has grown. Direct collaboration is therefore less of an exception and more of a feasible route that more organisations are considering. New partnerships will be launched in the follow-up project ZoBio 2.0.

Project partners

The project was carried out together with ILVO and BioForum. BioForum managed and coordinated the project and supported the organic farmers in developing the partnerships. Flanders’ FOOD and ILVO, through the NuHCaS collaborative initiative, focused on the care institutions, caterers and primary food processors.