Learning to Change
Connecting Healthy Food, Education and Gastronomy
Social
Collaboration with Joost de Vos, culinary herbalist and lecturer at Hotelschool The Hague
Koppert Cress and Hotelschool The Hague demonstrate how education, gastronomy and horticulture can strengthen one another. With storytelling as a connecting force, they bring the origin, value and experience of food to life — inspiring the next generation to contribute to a healthier food future.
Inspiring students through story and experience
For years, Koppert Cress and Hotelschool The Hague have worked together to raise student awareness of the impact of food on people and the planet. It is not only about healthy ingredients, but also about meaningful experiences that encourage young people to think and act.
“If you really want to engage students in a healthier food culture, you have to look beyond the plate. It’s about context, experience and repetition. That’s why we believe so strongly in storytelling as a learning tool,” says Joost de Vos, lecturer and culinary herbalist. “A good example is the project Getting Health on the Menu, in which students, doctors and professionals worked together on healthy food in healthcare. It not only generated fresh ideas, but also created genuine connections between education, healthcare and gastronomy.”
Joost de Vos is a culinary herbalist with in-depth knowledge of herbs and a lecturer at Hotelschool The Hague. With a background as a chef and wild-foraging specialist, he combines his passion for nature, edible plants and health with his love of education.
The Farmacy: Food as Medicine
At the Food Inspiration Days 2025, Koppert Cress and Hotelschool The Hague presented The Farmacy: Food As Remedy Movement. Food was literally positioned as medicine. Visitors began in a pharmacy-like waiting room, listening to an audio message in the style of David Attenborough about food, ecology and health. They were then given a “healthy shot” from a symbolic syringe filled with Koppert Cress greens, along with a doctor’s prescription for a plant-based dish. This immersive experience encouraged reflection — without preaching.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Increasingly, they choose employers with strong sustainability values.
“They want to contribute to a better world — and that starts already during their studies,” says Joost.
It’s not just students who must keep learning; teachers and educational institutions must do the same. The collaboration with Koppert Cress helps them stay sharp, with up-to-date knowledge and fresh perspectives from the professional field.
“We need Koppert Cress to stay relevant in a rapidly changing field,” concludes Joost.
Sustainable stories
Introduction
Powerful stories that capture our nature: sustainability at every level and in every aspect.
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Ecological
Koppert Cress's climate goals validated by SBTi
Sustainability requires more than just ambition. That is why Koppert Cress had its climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This independent organization assesses whether climate targets are aligned with the latest climate science and contribute to limiting global warming. With this validation, the SBTi confirms that Koppert Cress’s climate targets are specific, measurable, and aligned with international climate goals.
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Ecological
Koppert Cress will become climate positive in 2026
Climate postive?
Starting in 2026, Koppert Cress will be climate positive. By investing in emission reduction for years and transitioning to fossil-free energy via geothermal power, we are reducing our direct emissions to zero. We will offset the remaining emissions by 125%, meaning we will remove more CO₂ from the atmosphere than we emit.
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Social
Working Together in an Inclusive Organisation
Why is building trust so important to us? Trust shows someone that we believe in their abilities, intentions and dedication to contribute to a shared goal.
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Social
Learning to Change: Connecting Healthy Food, Education and Gastronomy
Koppert Cress and Hotelschool The Hague demonstrate how education, gastronomy and horticulture can strengthen one another. With storytelling as a connecting force, they bring the origin, value and experience of food to life — inspiring the next generation to contribute to a healthier food future.