We're Smart Future Awards 2025
Osaka (Japan) - At the World Expo in Osaka, during the Food & Beverages week in collaboration with FEVIA, the Federation of the Belgian food industry, We’re Smart World, the global movement encouraging restaurants and companies to use more fruit and vegetables sustainably, presented its annual Future Awards. The event took place in the presence of H.R.H. Princess Astrid of Belgium and the mayor of the city of Valencia (Spain), Maria José Catalá. These prestigious awards recognize organizations with innovative food products and projects for a more sustainable future. Here are the winners.
PERSON OF THE YEAR 2025
Belgium
Hein Deprez
Belgian Hein Deprez, founder, former CEO, and current chairman of Greenyard, has been named ‘Person of the Year’. Deprez started a mushroom farm more than forty years ago, in 1983, and in 1987 founded Greenyard Fresh (formerly Univeg). This grew into one of the largest fruit and vegetable companies in the world, offering a wide range of fresh, frozen, and prepared products. Since the beginning of 2018, Hein has been an executive director on the board, where he determines Greenyard's long-term vision and strategy.
PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2025
Belgium
‘Brooddoosnodig’ (Lunchbox Needed)
The Belgian project Brooddoosnodig (Lunchbox Needed) has been chosen as ‘Project of the Year’. The initiative encourages local businesses, residents, teachers, and supporters to provide healthy meals to schools. This is because too many children are still sitting in classrooms with empty lunchboxes – and therefore hungry.
MEDIA OF THE YEAR 2025
The Netherlands
Food Inspiration magazine
Food Inspiration Magazine was awarded ‘Media of the Year’. The online magazine for food industry professionals closely follows inspiring individuals and innovative solutions in the sector.
COMMUNICATION OF THE YEAR 2025
The Netherlands
Plant, Botanical Gastronomy
The book Plant by Chef Emile van der Staak, from Five Radish restaurant De Nieuwe Winkel in Nijmegen, wins the ‘Communication of the Year’ award. In Plant, the chef shares more than 80 botanical recipes and techniques, including fermentation and rediscovered ancient methods. The book is a call to reconsider how we eat and cook and aims to bring more balance to our plates and the planet.
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR 2025
Japan
Sea Vegetable Company
Sea Vegetable Company receives the Innovation Award for their innovation "Aonori Shoyu.” This unique liquid seasoning, which innovatively ferments raw aonori seaweed with rice malt, salt, and water, distinguishes itself through its surprising umami-rich flavor profile and the absence of soy. The jury praised Aonori Shoyu for its bold approach to traditional Japanese culinary techniques, the sustainable utilization of seaweed, and the creation of an entirely new taste experience that will inspire both chefs and gourmets worldwide.
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2025
Japan
Broccoli Super Sprouts
The Japanese company Murakami Farm develops ‘Broccoli Super Sprouts’, which are sprouts of the broccoli plant containing thirty times more sulforaphane than older broccoli plants, and wins the ‘Product of the Year’ award. Broccoli sprouts are very popular because of their health benefits. The vegetable is preventively recommended by national cancer organizations. The company exclusively develops Broccoli Super Sprouts and has developed an impressive production process for this.
SPECIAL FUTURE OF THE YEAR 2025
Spain
The Mediterranean Pantry
The Spanish initiative ‘The Mediterranean Pantry’ from Valencia wins the ‘Special Future Award of the Year’. The project promotes local, sustainable consumption by shortening the distribution chain and exclusively offering high-quality, native varieties that deserve the Mediterranean quality label.
