Grassroots Design Power & Transitions

Grassroots uses design power for systemic change within the Dutch food system. The goal is to promote sustainability and circular practices. The project is currently developing a series of Minimum Viable Ecosystems (MVEs).

An MVE is a collaborative ecosystem in which startups, farmers, researchers, artists and designers work together to develop regenerative value propositions that benefit both people and the planet.

Three designers have been selected for this phase:

• Meta van Drunen
• Katja Gruijters
• Marije Vogelzang

Katja was chosen for her extensive and consistent practice in working with waste streams as valuable raw materials.

Food Stays Food

Within the MVE ‘Food Stays Food’, Katja is collaborating with MaGie Creations to reimagine brewer’s grain: a nutritious byproduct of the brewing process, rich in fibre and protein, but currently still largely used for animal feed.

At the moment, the ecosystem is being further developed with partners who can strengthen the mission’s progress. Together, we are exploring how brewer’s grain can be made visible, tangible and sensory once again as a valuable ingredient within a more sustainable food system.

The central question within this MVE is:

How can byproducts like brewer’s grain be accepted as valuable ingredients within a sustainable food system?

Our mission:

To make brewer’s grain a natural choice as a valuable ingredient for a healthy and sustainable food system by reconnecting with its origins.

Katja is working closely together with Madeleine Gielens, director of Magie Creations, to develop this MVE. As two pioneers joining forces, we are developing a powerful concept and intervention that bring together revaluation, origin and sensory experiences.

Join our community

We’re building a community. Are you interested in this topic, or do you think you can add value to this MVE? Please get in touch.

This project is part of the Design Power & Transitions programme, which is funded with PPS-I resources from the Ministry of Economic Affairs through the TKI (Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation) for the creative industry, CLICKNL (links in Dutch).

Special thanks to: Gitte Schober, Milo Kleijnjan, Thomas Tichar, Lija Groenewoud van Vliet, Rodolfo Groenewoud van Vliet, Christine Ruf, Willem Hulsink, Janne Spork, Marjan de Jong, Dries van Wagenberg, Meta van Drunen, Marije Vogelzang.