Me-at Leeuwarden

Me-at Leeuwarden, commonly branded as ME-AT (a play on "meet the alternative"), is a Dutch plant-based meat alternative brand based in Leeuwarden in the north of the Netherlands. The company designs and develops mainly 100% plant-based meat alternatives that are intended to replicate the look, taste and mouthfeel of actual meat. Its stated mission is to offer a sustainable solution to the growing global demand for protein, making it easier for consumers to choose meat-free options. The brand positions itself as "your partner in plant-based" and describes its role in the plant-based segment as offering an easy and recognizable alternative for meat and fish, allowing consumers to switch protein sources without sacrificing familiarity. According to the company, its products not only look like fresh meat but also cook and taste like real meat, and it strives with every product to make it as difficult as possible to taste the difference from traditional meat. ME-AT produces its products in a 100% dedicated state-of-the-art facility located in Leeuwarden. Before opening the facility, the company remodeled a former beef slaughterhouse — a detail that underscores its transition from animal-based to plant-based protein production. The company frames its work within broader environmental concerns: a growing world population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the need to increase food production by 60%, and the necessity of moving diets toward more plant-based protein sources. Beyond product development, ME-AT has an ambition to build a local and transparent supply chain with a positive impact on farmers, nature and consumers. It focuses on locally grown proteins from dedicated farmers in a fully transparent farm-to-fork chain. The company collaborates with chain partners including ZLTO, Agrifirm and Herba Ingredients, and in spring 2021, 30 hectares of fava beans were sown as a first step, with acreage expected to increase strongly over the following five years. Germany and Belgium are also on the wish list for expansion. ME-AT is associated with the FabaFood group and the Bean Deal, and its supply-chain work references Vion's meat chain as an example of successful collaboration. ME-AT operates in the Netherlands and has expressed ambitions to expand into Germany and Belgium. The brand is active in the plant-based protein transition, positioning itself as part of the shift toward sustainable food chains for future generations.

ME-AT (pronounced as "meat") was created as a startup to be part of the shift toward more plant-based protein sources. The company describes its origin in response to a changing world: a population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the need to increase food production by 60%, and growing consumer concern about the environment and food. ME-AT positions itself as offering an alternative to meat with products that have the look, feel and taste of actual meat. A defining step in the company's history was the establishment of its production facility in Leeuwarden, in the north of the Netherlands. Before the facility could open, ME-AT remodeled a former beef slaughterhouse into a 100% dedicated state-of-the-art plant for producing plant-based meat alternatives. This conversion symbolizes the company's transition from animal-based to plant-based protein production. In spring 2021, ME-AT sowed 30 hectares of fava beans as the first step in building a local and transparent supply chain. The company stated that this acreage was expected to increase strongly over the next five years, and that Germany and Belgium were also on the wish list for expansion. ME-AT collaborates with chain partners ZLTO, Agrifirm and Herba Ingredients, and is associated with the FabaFood group and the Bean Deal. Its supply-chain work references Vion's meat chain as an example of successful collaboration. ME-AT continues to operate from Leeuwarden, producing plant-based meat and fish alternatives and promoting the plant-based protein transition toward a sustainable food chain for future generations.

• ME-AT startup created to offer plant-based meat alternatives.

• Former beef slaughterhouse in Leeuwarden remodeled into a 100% dedicated plant-based production facility.

• Spring 2021: 30 hectares of fava beans sown as first step in building a local transparent supply chain.

A sustainable, local and transparent plant-based meat alternative brand offering products that look, cook and taste like real meat.

• Plant-based meat alternatives

  Mainly 100% plant-based products designed to have the look, taste and mouthfeel of actual meat.

• Plant-based fish alternatives

  Easy and recognizable alternatives for fish, allowing consumers to switch protein sources.

1. 1Home - Me-atme-at.com
2. 2Our story - Me-atme-at.com
3. 3Local Supply - Me-atme-at.com
4. 4Me-at Leeuwardenwikidata.org