What happens when dairy and plant-based innovation come together? New ingredients, new technologies and new opportunities are giving rise to a rapidly growing category: hybrid foods.
Young IFFI Network Meeting – Building a Sustainable Industry
Discover the latest developments in hybrid foods through inspiring presentations, an innovative start-up and an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to Farm Dairy. Join fellow young professionals for a day of knowledge sharing, networking and fresh inspiration.
8 October 2026 | 10:00 - 16:00
Young IFFI Network Meeting – Building a Sustainable Industry
Hybrid and Ultra-Processed Foods: Shaping the Next Generation of Food
What happens when dairy and plant-based innovation come together? And Ultra-Processed Foods need to be ‘less processed?’ New ingredients, new technologies and new opportunities are giving rise to growing categories: hybrid and less processed foods.
Join Young IFFI on 8 October for an inspiring day exploring one of the most exciting developments in the food industry. Discover how hybrid and less processed food products are redefining the way we think about taste, nutrition and sustainability, while connecting with fellow young professionals who are passionate about the future of food.
The morning programme features Jan Buining, owner of Tasty Basics and author of the book ‘De Onhoudbare Houdgreep’, sharing insights on Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF’s) and pushing the boundaries of product development. In the afternoon an inspiring keynote will be provided by a representative of Farm Dairy, sharing different perspectives on hybrid innovation and opportunities shaping this emerging market.
In the afternoon, we’ll head also to Farm Dairy in Lelystad for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. As a producer of dairy, plant-based and hybrid products, Farm Dairy offers a unique opportunity to see how innovation moves from concept to commercial production. Discover how products are developed, manufactured and brought to market in a rapidly evolving food landscape.
Whether you’re working in R&D, product development, marketing, quality, sales or simply curious about the future of food, this event promises fresh insights, practical inspiration and valuable new connections.
Walk in & Registration
9:45 – 10:15 hrs
Program
10:15 – 10:40 hrs
Welcome by chair Young IFFI
Startup presentation: Entrepreneurship
10:40 – 11:00 hrs
Questions and feedback
11:00 – 11:40 hrs
Keynote lecture ‘Ultra Processed Foods’ by Jan Buining, Tasty Basics
11:40 – 12:15 hrs
Discussion and feedback
Lunch
12:15 – 13:00 hrs
13:00 – 13:15 hrs
Introduction of Farm Dairy
13:15 – 13:30 hrs
Travel to Farm Dairy company
13:30 -14:30 hrs
Company Visit Farm Dairy
Farm Dairy is a leading Dutch private label producer of fresh and ambient dairy products, plant-based dairy alternatives and hybrid concepts. Based in Lelystad, the company works closely with retailers to develop innovative products while focusing on quality, sustainability and flexibility. During the company visit, participants will gain insight into the production processes and the latest developments in dairy, plant-based and hybrid products.
14:30 – 14:45 hrs
Travel to Van Der Valk restaurant
14:45 – 15:15 hrs
‘Private Label Manufacturing’, business perspective by Arend Bouwer, Farm Dairy
15:15 –15:45 hrs
‘Hybrid Dairy’, innovation perspective by Hans Zijlstra, Farm Dairy
15:45 – 16:00
Wrap up by chair, Young IFFI
16.00 – 17:00 hrs
Closing and drinks and bites
Jan Buining – TastyBasics
Jan Buining is the founder of TastyBasics and a passionate advocate for less processed, nutrient-dense foods. After a long career in the food and feed industry, including serving as Commercial Director at Kievit (now part of FrieslandCampina), he began questioning the industry’s focus on taste and functionality over health. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, Buining now works to make healthy choices the logical choices, helping to reshape the conversation around ultra-processed foods and product development.
Arend Bouwer – General Director of Farm Dairy
Arend Bouwer is the founder and General Director of Farm Dairy in Lelystad. In 1999, he established the independent dairy processing company on a greenfield site, opting to operate outside the traditional Dutch dairy cooperative system.
Under Bouwer’s management, Farm Dairy built a fully automated processing plant to supply fresh dairy products directly to large Dutch supermarket chains. The Lelystad facility processes raw milk sourced directly from regional farmers into private-label milk, yogurt, custard, and quark.
Over his tenure, Bouwer expanded the facility’s capacity to process hundreds of millions of liters of milk annually. He also adapted the plant’s production lines to supply certified meadow milk (Weidemelk) and organic dairy products for retail clients. Bouwer continues to head Farm Dairy as an independent liquid dairy supplier in the Netherlands.
Hans Zijlstra – Manager Quality and Technology
Hans Zijlstra is Manager of Quality and Technology at Farm Dairy in Lelystad. Working alongside the executive team, he oversees the technical operations, quality assurance, and sustainability standards of the processing facility. Zijlstra manages the operational implementation of retail compliance standards and environmental certifications at the Lelystad plant.
In 2019, he led the integration of the “On the way to PlanetProof” certification into Farm Dairy’s production lines, managing the segregation of raw milk streams to process sustainable dairy for major Dutch supermarket chains. He also directs the plant’s technical initiatives regarding sustainability, including carbon reduction targets (SBTi validation), packaging circularity, and technical developments in the plant-based protein transition.
Jan Buining, TastyBasics
In his book, De Onhoudbare Greep van Ultra bewerkte voeding, Jan Buining examines how ultra-processed foods have come to dominate today’s food system and what it will take to make healthier choices the obvious choice. During his presentation, he will translate these insights into practical perspectives for food professionals and the wider food industry.
This event is open to young professionals and HR managers employed by IFFI affiliated companies.
Registration is open!
Questions regarding this meeting? Contact Marita Mantle-Kloosterboer via marita@iffi.nu.
Registration
Venue morning program: Van der Valk, Lelystad
In the afternoon, we’ll visit Farm Dairy, Kaapstanderweg 50, Lelystad.
Venue
Van der Valk Lelystad
Larserplein 1
8226 PB Lelystad
