Pitch: Buy a product, give a product

Ineke Malsch • 25 februari 2025

On 10 December 2024, Julia Wesselink and Elliot Donohadi pitched our campaign ‘Buy a product, give a product’ during the LIFT! 2024 pitch night in Club Raum, Leidsche Rijn

Here, you can download the slides in Dutch.


Slide 1: Anecdote

Meet Sofie, a mother of two from Kanaleneiland. Like any parent, she dreams of a healthy future for her kids. Sofie knows the benefits of organic food, from better nutrition to long-term health, but she can’t afford it. Sadly, this is the reality for many families in Utrecht, who either lack the means to buy organic food or don’t know where to find it. Many others must rely on food banks, where choices are limited, and families like Sofie are left without the freedom to provide the healthier options they desire for their children.

Slide 1: Framing

Question then is, how can we help people like Sofie to access organic produce, enjoy the freedom of choice, and know where to find it.

Slide 2: Solution

Buy a Product, Give a Product!

An initiative by Duurzaam Utrecht to make organic food more accessible, affordable, and empowering for families like Sofie.

Slide 2: Concept

How it Works:

We partner with local organic shops to set up a pay-it-forward system.

At checkout, customers can choose to pay double for a product, donating the extra.

The extra funds are converted into vouchers, sent weekly to buurtcentrum.

These vouchers are printed and displayed on prikbords, where people with U-passes can take them and redeem them for free organic products at participating shops.

 

Slide 3: Call to Action

How can you help us make this happen?

1.    Vote for us: Winning this prize will help us fund materials, create vouchers, and canvass for shop partnerships to launch this program.

2.    Spread the word: If you know a shop owner or someone connected to one, introduce us so we can grow our network.

3.    Volunteer: Join Duurzaam Utrecht’s mission. Even if this project isn’t for you, we have plenty of other initiatives you can support.

Together, we can ensure every family in Utrecht has access to organic food, freedom of choice, and a healthier future!

 

Feedback from the audience

a)    "Tip. Good that you tell the persona, it can be even more narrative. Facts: "i?M" Be open to volunteer experience at duurzaamutrecht2030. Do you know Loos Utrecht?"

b) "Maybe also approach wholesalers such as Hanos, Makro or Sligro"

c) "Look at Noordertuin in Overvecht. I think they have (ideas for) cooperation with local farmers"

d) "I often see a lot of items needed. I can imagine that this can help the buyer not to overthink the purchase."

e) "Can the food bank be moved towards more sustainability? Giving direction to donations and awareness"

f) "Check out: Groentetas, Rechtstreex, Grounded. Be specific: Who gets the voucher? Validate: Are people willing to pay extra for this? Organic food is not affordable for most people."


[Photo credit: Luca Vermeer created the opening photo as a photo shoot during the Harvest Festival on City Farm Eilandsteede on 22 September 2024. The image above 'buy a product, give a product, was created by students of the Graphical Lyceum Utrecht - het Bureau, as part of our campaign.]

door Ineke Malsch 17 april 2025
Onderzoek de duurzaamheid van Marokkaanse en Turkse supermarkten
door Ineke Malsch 11 april 2025
Nationaal reparateursregister gelanceerd
door Ineke Malsch 9 april 2025
Join the workshop 'Smart, sustainable and social Utrecht in Europe' on 8 May 2025
door Ineke Malsch 9 april 2025
Praat mee tijdens de workshop 'Slim, duurzaam en sociaal Utrecht in Europa' op 8 mei 2025
door Noor Ul Ain 4 april 2025
On the 2nd of April, in collaboration with Welkom in Utrecht , we at DuurzaamUtrecht2030 arranged an excursion for the ladies from the AZC (asylum seekers' center) in Utrecht. The visit took place at 13:00 at Stadsboerderij Eilandsteede , an urban farm just an 8-minute walk from the AZC. The short distance made it easy for the residents to join, and many arrived full of curiosity and enthusiasm. The staff at Eilandsteede warmly welcomed us and gave an engaging tour of the farm, explaining what they do in terms of food growth and sustainability. It was inspiring to see how passionate they were about creating a space where people from different backgrounds could come together, learn, and contribute. During the tour, the staff highlighted the different ways they grow food, care for the animals, and maintain the farm in an environmentally friendly way. One of the most interesting aspects of the visit was seeing the farm’s use of vermicomposting. The staff showed us how they have created their own bins, using worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It was fascinating to see how this simple process not only reduces waste but also provides natural fertilizer for their crops, highlighting an innovative and sustainable approach to farming. They were also enthusiastic about involving different communities, and they actively encouraged AZC residents to join as volunteers. The response from the AZC residents was amazing. Many of them had never been to a place like this before, and they were fascinated by what they saw. One of the women from the Azc shared that she had never grown anything on her own before, but after seeing the farm, she felt inspired and wanted to learn more. This visit was about more than just looking around—it was a way to introduce the residents to sustainability in a practical and accessible way. Often, sustainable practices can seem distant or difficult to engage with, but through experiences like this, we can show that small actions, like growing your own food or taking care of a garden, can make a difference. By participating in activities like urban farming, the AZC residents can not only learn new skills but also become more involved in the community. It offers a sense of belonging, connection, and an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful. Sustainability is not just about the environment—it’s also about people, inclusion, and working together towards a better future. This excursion was a small but powerful step in that direction, and we hope to continue creating more opportunities for the AZC residents to engage in sustainable activities. To keep this momentum going, we at DuurzaamUtrecht2030 are exploring ways to grow this initiative and make it bigger. How can we create a more permanent connection between AZC residents and urban farming? Could we set up regular volunteer programs, gardening workshops, or even a small community garden at the AZC itself? This visit was just the beginning, and we believe there is great potential to expand sustainable activities for the residents—whether through farming, composting, or even sustainable cooking sessions using fresh produce from local farms. We also welcome ideas from the community—how can we involve more people, organizations, and resources to make this a long-term and impactful collaboration? If you have suggestions or want to be part of this journey, we would love to hear from you. Let’s work together to make sustainability more inclusive and accessible for everyone!
door Ineke Malsch 3 april 2025
Utrechtse huurders van woningcorporatie BO-EX krijgen gratis hulp om hun betegelde voortuin om te vormen in een groen paradijsje. Lees hier meer over op: https://www.boex.nl/gratis-voortuin-makeover en meld u snel aan. Huurt u niet bij BO-EX maar wilt u wel tuinieren of hulp in uw tuin? Kijk op de pagina sociaal moestuinieren voor tips.
door Ineke Malsch 27 maart 2025
In gesprek over biologisch eten met smalle beurs met sobere eters van Tuindorp- en Pauluskerk
door Ineke Malsch 24 maart 2025
Het kookboekproject 'Duurzaam eten met smalle beurs in Lunetten valt in de smaak
door Ineke Malsch 19 maart 2025
Read about our achievements and plans for 2025
door Ineke Malsch 19 maart 2025
Lees het verslag van onze activiteiten en vooruitblik
Meer posts