PRESS RELEASES | 2026

Almere becomes sixth Dutch city to sign Plant Based Treaty, targeting 60% plant-based diet by 2030

March 10 2026, Almere, The Netherlands – Almere has signed the Plant Based Treaty, committing to raise the share of plant-based proteins in the city’s diet to 60% by 2030. The city joins Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Groningen, Arnhem and Haarlem, making it the sixth Dutch municipality to endorse the international call to shift to a plant based food system. Globally, 68 cities have now endorsed, including Los Angeles, Edinburgh and, most recently, Strasbourg, Capital of the European Union.

By signing, Almere commits to three demands: An active transition away from animal-based food systems, No land use change, ecosystem degradation or deforestation for animal agriculture and Actively restoring key ecosystems, particularly restoring forests and rewilding landscapes.

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March 10 2026, Almere, The Netherlands – Almere has signed the Plant Based Treaty, committing to raise the share of plant-based proteins in the city’s diet to 60% by 2030. The city joins Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Groningen, Arnhem and Haarlem, making it the sixth Dutch municipality to endorse the international call to shift to a plant based food system. Globally, 68 cities have now endorsed, including Los Angeles, Edinburgh and, most recently, Strasbourg, Capital of the European Union.

By signing, Almere commits to three demands: An active transition away from animal-based food systems, No land use change, ecosystem degradation or deforestation for animal agriculture and Actively restoring key ecosystems, particularly restoring forests and rewilding landscapes.

“We are glad to see cities like Almere taking responsibility for securing our future. Local governments have a crucial role to play in the transition to a plant-based food system, and every city that signs the Plant Based Treaty brings us one step closer to the systemic change our planet urgently needs.”
— Lea Goodett, Plant Based Treaty

Leading by example 

Alderman Jesse Luijendijk (Urban Agriculture and Food Supply) points to the city hall canteen as proof of concept: “We are already serving local, plant-based food in our own canteen. A chef prepares and presents plant-based dishes to staff in an appetising and inspiring way under the banner of ‘Future of Food’. We aim to do this every quarter, with seasonal and locally sourced produce at the heart of it. We want to show that plant-based eating is both delicious and exciting.” 

A focused agenda: three priorities 

Almere’s approach builds on its 2021 food strategy, now updated with three clear priorities: 

  • A healthy and sustainable food environment 
  • Regional collaboration and short supply chains 
  • Promoting and embedding urban agriculture 

Almere is embedding food education in schools through kitchen garden programmes and improving access to healthy lunches for all children. A mobile snack wall, run in partnership with Tommy Tomato, will travel between schools citywide. The Urban Agriculture Centre in

Oosterwold anchors the city’s urban farming ambitions, supporting residents with knowledge, materials and networks, and providing space for start-ups and field labs to innovate within the food chain. A harvest app, funded through a European grant, connects local growers with buyers, while an annual event, organised together with the province, celebrates and promotes locally grown produce. 

Plant Based Treaty: momentum building across the Netherlands 

The Plant Based Treaty is a global initiative calling on cities, organisations and individuals to tackle the climate crisis by transitioning to plant-based food systems. Almere’s endorsement signals a growing movement among Dutch municipalities towards more sustainable food system. 

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