Food Union
Food Union is a food-industry company with a strong focus on shared kitchen infrastructure, workspace, and catering services in the Netherlands. It operates in Haarlem and Rotterdam, serving food entrepreneurs such as chefs, caterers, bakers, product developers, start-ups, and small businesses that need a professional place to produce, work, and grow. The company positions itself as a culinary broedplaats, or food incubator: a place where people can rent fully equipped kitchens, private kitchen units, office space, and event rooms, while also benefiting from a community of peers. Beyond workspace, Food Union also runs catering and company lunch services, with meals prepared by participants from its kitchens and delivered to businesses across the Netherlands. Core Values Community and collaboration : Food Union emphasizes a shared environment where entrepreneurs exchange knowledge, ideas, and practical support. The company presents itself as a place where people work independently but remain closely connected to others around them. Flexibility : The business offers different formats, from day-based kitchen access to full-time units and office spaces. This flexibility is meant to help both early-stage and scaling businesses find a setup that matches their pace. Professional quality : Its kitchens are fully equipped and described as professional and HACCP-proof, with cleaning and waste handling included. The company also highlights practical amenities such as meeting rooms, café access, and parking. Entrepreneurial growth : Food Union frames its spaces and services as tools for starting, developing, and scaling food businesses. The overall environment is designed to help participants turn ideas into products and businesses into something larger. Unique Aspects Two-location food hub : Food Union operates in both Rotterdam and Haarlem, giving food entrepreneurs access to professional kitchen and workspace infrastructure in two different urban settings. Monumental Rotterdam site : The Rotterdam location is housed in the Keilepand, a monumental building in the Merwe-Vierhavens area, which gives the site a distinctive industrial and creative character. Integrated ecosystem : In Rotterdam, the kitchens, private units, event rooms, restobar, and catering activity are closely linked, creating opportunities for participants to work, host events, and gain additional business exposure. Participant-driven catering : The company’s catering and company lunch services are prepared by participants from its own kitchens, which ties the commercial offering directly to the community of makers using the space. Flexible business address option : Private unit users receive a separate vestiging address, which is specifically positioned as useful for delivery platforms such as Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo.