Dutch Plant-Based Dairy Wins Welfare Leadership Award
Compassion in World Farming honored De Nieuwe Melkboer at its Farm Animal Welfare Awards ceremony in Brussels.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Vegetarian
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Compassion in World Farming presented De Nieuwe Melkboer with its first Plant Based Leadership Award at the organization's Farm Animal Welfare Awards in Brussels. The family-owned Dutch company converted a dairy operation into a producer of plant-based dairy alternatives.
Why it matters
The award highlights a shift in which dairy farms are moving toward plant-based production in response to demand for alternatives to animal-sourced foods. Compassion in World Farming said the business shows how farmers can adapt to changing consumer preferences.
De Nieuwe Melkboer was one of 44 recipients this year, 19 of whom are in China. The company's yogurts launched at Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo in February 2025, with the company's sales volumes not disclosed.
The players
Compassion in World Farming
Compassion in World Farming is an animal welfare organization that runs an awards programme recognizing producers and retailers for farm animal welfare commitments.
FrieslandCampina
FrieslandCampina is a major Dutch dairy cooperative that partnered with De Nieuwe Melkboer in 2022 to build a local plant-based dairy supply chain.
The details
Brothers Tom and Bart Grobben lead the company, which started on their family's dairy farm in Enschede, Netherlands. The business converted former cow barns into a facility for producing plant-based yogurt and sources soy from its own land and from local farmers.
Timeline
2007: Compassion in World Farming launches its awards programme.
2022: FrieslandCampina forms a partnership with De Nieuwe Melkboer to develop a local plant-based dairy supply chain.
February 2025: Jumbo launches three plant-based yogurts made by the company.
November 4, 2026: Compassion in World Farming presents the Plant Based Leadership Award in Brussels.
Culture Shift
The award reflects a broader movement in which Dutch dairy operations are reorganizing around plant protein, supported by the Plant Protein Forward programme run by Foodvalley, Rabobank and several provinces. The Jumbo launch was arranged through that programme, linking local soy production to mainstream grocery shelves.
Shoppers in supermarkets such as Jumbo can now find plant-based yogurts made from Dutch-grown soy. Consumers choosing dairy alternatives may see more locally sourced options as supply chains develop.
The takeaway
Plant-based dairy is increasingly being produced by existing dairy farms, which may expand the range of locally made alternatives available to shoppers. Readers interested in these products can compare labels for soy sourcing and nutritional content.
Further reading
For more background on plant-based eating, explore our Vegetarian coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by vegconomist - the vegan business magazine.
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