Where innovation
meets quality of life
Welcome to the Food Valley
where innovation meets quality of life
More information about the history, companies and surroundings
Are you an international professional, researcher or student settling in the Netherlands? Then chances are you’ve landed in the most future-focused regions of the country: Food Valley.
Welcome to the Food Valley Region – Innovation rooted in nature
Regio Foodvalley is the top region for knowledge and innovation in healthy and sustainable food. This region is not only renowned for its food-related expertise and technology, but also for its outstanding infrastructure and facilities for living, working and recreation. Foodvalley Region is a framework of cooperation involving eight municipalities with altogether 350,000 residents, and many educational institutions and businesses.
What is Food Valley?
Food Valley refers to both a geographic region and an ecosystem of companies, knowledge institutions, startups, and governments working together to shape the future of food. With Wageningen University & Research at its core, the region is internationally recognized for its expertise in food science, agri-tech, and sustainable development.
Which municipalities are part of Food Valley?
TIP: Below you’ll find more information about the region per municipality.
Learn more about each of these municipalities.
The region includes eight municipalities:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen. Together, they cover an area of approximately 885 km².
A diverse and growing population
The Food Valley Region is home to more than 350,000 residents, representing over 150 nationalities. The international community continues to grow, fueled by the presence of universities, research institutes, and international companies.
Why this region stands out:
- Home to leading global food companies and research institutes
- A strong focus on innovation and sustainability
- Vibrant international community of students, researchers, and professionals
- Located centrally, with easy access to major Dutch cities and international airports
- A growing number of startups and scale-ups driving change in the food system
Living in the Food Valley
Beyond its reputation in science and business, the region offers an excellent quality of life:
- Green landscapes and national parks
- Family-friendly towns and cities with good schools, healthcare, and housing
- Cultural events, international education, and a welcoming atmosphere
The Food Valley Region is where knowledge, entrepreneurship, and sustainability meet. Whether you’re looking to work, study, innovate or settle — this is the place to grow.
Have you experienced the Food Valley yet? We’d love to hear your story!
Welcome to Regio Foodvalley | Regio Foodvalley – English
Quick facts
about the Food Valley:
- A collaboration of 8 municipalities
- Home to 350,000+ residents representing 150+ nationalities
- Over 15,000 professionals working in food-related sciences
- Covers 885 km² of cities, towns, and lush green spaces
Located in the heart of the Netherlands, this region brings together global food companies, top research institutes, and a growing international community, all surrounded by nature, culture, and opportunity. At Welcome Center Food Valley, we’re here to help you feel at home in this inspiring environment.
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Welcome to Food Valley – where innovation meets quality of life
Are you an international professional, researcher or student settling in the Netherlands? Then chances are you’ve landed in one of the most dynamic and future-focused regions of the country: Food Valley.
Located in the heart of the Netherlands, this region brings together global food companies, top research institutes, and a growing international community — all surrounded by nature, culture, and opportunity. At Welcome Center Food Valley, we’re here to help you feel at home in this inspiring environment.
Curious about what the region has to offer? Here’s a quick introduction
Welcome to the Food Valley Region
Innovation rooted in nature
The Food Valley Region is a unique area in the Netherlands where international food companies, top research institutes, and leading educational institutions like Wageningen University & Research come together. It’s a dynamic region where science, business, and sustainability meet — with the city of Wageningen at its core.
More than 15,000 professionals in this region work in food-related science and innovation, and many more are active in food production, logistics, and technology. Global players like FrieslandCampina, Unilever, and a growing number of startups call this region home.
And so do we
At Welcome Center Food Valley, we’re proud to be located in this region — it’s even part of our name. We support internationals who live and work here, helping them feel at home in one of the Netherlands’ most innovative and international regions.
Quick facts about the Food Valley Region:
- 8 municipalities: including Wageningen, Ede, Barneveld, Nijkerk & Veenendaal
- ~350,000 residents from 150+ nationalities
- Covers 885 km² of cities, villages, and green spaces
- Excellent accessibility by road and rail, close to Schiphol and Düsseldorf
- Surrounded by national parks, museums, and nature
Whether you come here to work, study, innovate or settle, Food Valley offers the space, knowledge, and quality of life to grow — personally and professionally.
Want to learn more about living or working here? We’d love to connect!
#FoodValley #WelcomeCenterFoodValley #LifeInTheNetherlands #AgriFood #Wageningen #InternationalTalent #LivingInNL #DutchRegions #InnovationHub
The region includes eight municipalities
Barneveld, Ede, Nijkerk, Renswoude, Rhenen, Scherpenzeel, Veenendaal, Wageningen. Together, they cover an area of approximately 885 km².
Learn more about each of these municipalities:
Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Spotlight on Barneveld: A municipality with a rich history and vibrant community
Located in the heart of the Netherlands, the municipality of Barneveld is known for its deep-rooted agricultural traditions, diverse population, and strong sense of community.
🐔 Facts about the municipality Barneveld:
- 9 villages, including Voorthuizen, Kootwijkerbroek, and Garderen
- Approximately 65,000 residents
- 176 km² of forests, farmlands, and growing business parks
- Famous for its poultry industry — Barneveld is known nationwide as the ‘chicken capital’ of the Netherlands!
- The name Barneveld likely comes from the old Dutch words ‘bern’ (children or young people) and ‘veld’ (field)
Would you like to know more about Barneveld’s history, funfacts and tips:
More municipal spotlights coming soon!
Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Get to know Ede: where history meets nature
Located near the Veluwe, one of the largest and most scenic national parks in the Netherlands, Ede is the perfect place for nature lovers, hikers, and cyclists. But there’s more to discover than just greenery!
Facts about Ede:
- Approximately 124,000 residents, of which ~79,000 live in the town of Ede
- Home to people from nearly 140 nationalities
- Around 17% of the population has a migration backgroun
- Ede once had a cheese market with its own currency
- The Doesburgermolen, the oldest windmill in the Netherlands still in use
- Annual Airborne commemorations mark Ede’s role in Operation Market Garden (1944)
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Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Meet Nijkerk: A historic town with a modern outlook
Nestled on the edge of the Gelderland province, the municipality of Nijkerk offers the perfect blend of small-town charm, rich heritage, and strong economic activity.
Facts about Nijkerk:
- With over 45,000 residents, Nijkerk includes the towns of Nijkerk, Nijkerkerveen, and Hoevelaken.
- The name Nijkerk literally means ‘new church’, referring to a church built in the 13th century after a previous one was destroyed.
- Despite its village feel today, Nijkerk has officially been a city for over 600 years! It received its city rights in 1413, making it one of the older cities in the Gelderland province.
- The municipality covers around 73 km², combining urban living with peaceful rural surroundings.
- The city of Nijkerk is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the Grote Kerk (Great Church), a Gothic landmark built in 1756
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Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Discover Renswoude: A hidden Gem in the Food Valley Region!
The municipality of Renswoude only consists of the village of Renswoude, which is close-knit community of about 5,000 residents. Known for its scenic countryside, historic sites, and green spaces, it offers a perfect blend of small-town tranquility and easy access to bigger cities nearby.
Facts about Renswoude:
- Renswoude Castle dates back to 1645 and is located right in the heart of Renswoude.
- Renswoude lies along the historic Grebbelinie, an old Dutch defense line with forts and bunkers.
- The area has charming walking paths called Klompenpaden, named after the traditional wooden shoes worn by farmers.
- Renswoude is founded in the 18th century by Maria Duyst van Renswoude, this foundation was created to support technical education for poor boys in Dutch cities. The foundation still supports educational initiatives today.
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Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Explore Rhenen: from medieval walls to giant pandas
Nestled between the hills of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the banks of the Rhine River, the municipality of Rhenen is home to around 20,400 residents. With a history stretching back over 1,000 years, Rhenen blends cultural heritage, natural beauty, and a strong community spirit.
Facts about Rhenen:
- Rhenen received city rights in 1258 and still has remnants of its medieval city wall.
- The name is likely linked to the Latin word ‘Rhenus’, used by the Romans for the Rhine River.
- Rhenen is known for the Grebbeberg, the site of a key battle during World War II and now a national war cemetery.
- In the 17th century, exiled King Frederick V of Bohemia built his summer palace, Het Koningshuis, here.
- Rhenen is home to Ouwehands Zoo, one of the few places in Europe with giant pandas.
A picturesque town with deep roots and natural charm, Rhenen is truly a gem in the Food Valley region.
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Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Discover Scherpenzeel: small-scale charm with a rich past
Scherpenzeel is a small but lively municipality on the border of Utrecht and Gelderland. It combines a rich medieval past with a peaceful, rural setting.
Facts about Scherpenzeel:
- The name comes from ‘scarpenzele’, a house fortified with sharpened wooden stakes
- Scherpenzeel Castle (14th century) is now the town hall
- Lies along the historic Grebbe Line, a Dutch water defense system with bunkers still visible in the landscape
- About 10,000 residents, all living in the village of Scherpenzeel
A small municipality with strong historic character and natural beauty — Scherpenzeel offers both tranquility and a deep sense of place.
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Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Get to know Veenendaal: a modern city with industrial roots
Located between the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the Gelderse Vallei, Veenendaal is a vibrant, medium-sized city. What began in the 16th century as a peat-cutting settlement has grown into one of the most accessible and forward-looking places in the region.
Facts about Veenendaal:
- Over 68,000 residents, making it one of the larger municipalities in the Food Valley region
- Founded in the 16th century for peat extraction (‘veen’ in Dutch)
- Originally split between 2 towns, and even 2 different provinces: the southern half belonged to Rhenen (Utrecht), the northeastern half to Ede (Gelderland)
- Known in the 19th and 20th centuries for its flourishing textile industry
- The most common surname in Veenendaal is ‘Beek’ (meaning brook/stream)
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Information about the municipalities in the Food Valley region:
Barneveld | Ede | Nijkerk | Renswoude | Rhenen | Scherpenzeel | Veenendaal | Wageningen
Wageningen in focus: innovation, nature, and international community
Wageningen is a unique municipality where science, history, and global culture come together. Known worldwide for its prestigious university and symbolic role at the end of WWII, Wageningen continues to shape both the past and future of the Netherlands.
- Facts about Wageningen:
- Approximately 39,000 residents, with about 18% being students, Wageningen has the highest student-to-resident ratio of any Dutch city
- The German capitulation in the Netherlands was signed here on 5 May 1945, in Hotel De Wereld
- Liberation Day (5 May) is marked each year with national celebrations and festivals
- Surrounded by nature: the Uiterwaarden of the Rhine, the Veluwe, and botanical gardens
- Known as the ‘City of Life Sciences’, and a key player in the Food Valley innovation ecosystem
In Wageningen, knowledge, sustainability, and international exchange are part of everyday life. A small city with a global impact.
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