2024: Oesterzwammerij - Theme Prize

The Oesterzwammerij Wins 2024 Theme Award for 'Circular Entrepreneurship'

The Oesterzwammerij is a circular mushroom farm in Bloemendaal that cultivates oyster mushrooms on used coffee grounds. Erik Boele and Michiel de Ruiter grow these mushrooms and offer them as a sustainable alternative to meat. But they do much more. They also process the mushrooms into snacks such as bitterballen and croquettes, and are researching the use of residual waste streams as soil improvers. Erik and Michiel would like to introduce themselves to you.

Jury's Verdict: The Oesterzwammerij represents a new form of horticulture and inspires with a practical circular concept at the intersection of urban and rural areas.

The Oesterzwammerij is an inspiring company that has carved out a unique role in closing loops at the border between city and countryside. The initiative demonstrates that circularity is about transition and a different way of thinking. It’s a new form of horticulture, focused on closing cycles and making use of flows that are typically considered waste. The foundation of your business lies in creating added value from residual streams and turning them into raw materials for higher-value products—both directly and indirectly as new food products. The jury sees that you are highly agile in tapping into new market opportunities. You also contribute to soil improvement, all while maintaining a strong social dimension.

Your business is a reproducible—and thus scalable—initiative that represents the creation of new food chains alongside traditional horticulture. You take a broad perspective, engaging with the entire chain, not just your own role within it.

You make excellent use of the network surrounding your business to create new value together. This includes leveraging existing infrastructure—social, urban, and logistical. By being very open in sharing knowledge, you foster cross-pollination with other partners and new chains. With this, The Oesterzwammerij takes on the role of ambassador for circular entrepreneurship. Well done!

You are the jury’s winner because you embrace circularity with heart and soul. A true source of inspiration and a practical circular concept for cities everywhere!