Winners of the 2026 Waarde-Ring Announced!

Harvesting your own vegetables in Thorn, learning on a farm in Wahlwiller and discovering where local produce comes from in Neer. The owners – Mariana Dias Domingos of Hof van Thorn, Wendy Bindels of De Hofkamer and Leon Hermanns of Eetwinkel AMBACHT – were presented with the Waarde-Ring 2026 award on the evening of Thursday 8 October in Venlo.

During ‘Our Food Week’, they won awards for showing the people of Limburg who produces their food and where it comes from. Provincial Executive Member Stephan Satijn, standing in for Jasper Kuntzelaers (Agriculture), presented the awards to the winners, who make a special contribution to fostering links between farmers and the public.

Provincial Executive Member Stephan Satijn: “No fewer than 15 initiatives from Limburg were nominated this year. That shows just how many people are committed to bringing us closer to our food. The three winners – Mariana, Wendy and Leon – make that possible every day. They demonstrate just how much knowledge, hard work and craftsmanship goes into our food. That is something we in Limburg can be proud of. Because knowing what you eat starts with knowing who makes it!”

Three winners, three stories

All three winners received a cheque for €2,500, a provincial certificate and the Waarde Ring 2026.

Pick your own at Hof van Thorn

At Mariana Dias Domingos, families grow and harvest their own vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, whilst respecting the soil and biodiversity. Hof van Thorn enables consumers to take part in their own food production once again and connects citizens with producers. Hof van Thorn allows people to experience health, sustainability and Limburg’s local heritage. This fosters a close-knit community. Thanks to a social tariff, households on lower incomes can also take part.

Discover and learn at De Hofkamer

At Wendy Bindels’ nature farm in Wahlwiller, children and adults alike discover where their food comes from. Through farm lessons, guided tours and workshops, they learn how food is grown and the role that animals, the soil and nature play in this process. De Hofkamer grows its own organic vegetables, meat and eggs and sells local produce in the farm shop. In this way, Wendy demonstrates how agriculture, nature and healthy eating come together. The farm is also a meeting place where young and old alike can experience farm life at first hand.

Taste and experience at Eetwinkel AMBACHT

At the Friedesse Mill in Neer, Leon Hermanns brings the flavours of Limburg straight to the consumer. In his traditional butcher’s shop, local produce shop and dining room, visitors can enjoy meat, cheese, meals and other products from the region. Leon also helps people discover where that food comes from. During masterclasses and visits to farms, customers get to know the farmers, the animals and the craftsmanship behind their products. This gives Limburg’s food producers a face and helps consumers understand better what’s on their plates.

Our Food Week

From 3 to 10 October, the focus will be on local and healthy food. Throughout this week, a wide range of activities have been organised to raise awareness of where our food comes from, how it is produced and the impact it has on our health, the economy and our society. Limburg is a partner in this national week, which includes an organic farmers’ market, the ‘Proef je regio’ regional produce festival and mayors’ breakfasts. For the third time, the Province is presenting the Waarde-Ringen awards to bring the people behind the produce and the public closer together.