Will van Twuijver

Kaasverhalen 1 4

Kaasverhalen (Cheese stories) is an experimental place in development where food (in our case dairy) is seen as a commons rather than a commodity. In this place, neighborhood residents are given insight, control and responsibility over how their food is produced and distributed. The reason behind this is that our current food system is in need of change: both in terms of sustainability, and also socially and economically. We can only discover what a fairer food system could look like by experimenting ourselves with alternative forms of production and consumption. This is why the residents of Bospolder Tussendijken have been invited to learn the craft of cheese making (and other dairy products) for themselves and to share the results on carrying capacity, need and appreciation.

Kaasverhalen wants to create a community of involved local residents who want to play an active role in a communal form of local dairy processing and care for it together. The reason behind this is that our current food system is in need of change: both in terms of sustainability, and also socially and economically. We can only discover what a fairer food system could look like by experimenting ourselves with alternative forms of production and consumption.

In order to become more sustainable, Dutch agriculture will have to change considerably in the coming years. One such change is that there will be at least half as many livestock in agriculture, which in turn will affect how much animal products are produced. So we will be able to eat considerably less dairy in the future. On the other hand, cows play an important role closing cycles within sustainable agriculture, managing biodiverse landscapes and have and cultural value. If the role of the cow changes, what will be the role of cheese, milk and yogurt? How can we build a new relationship from the city locally produced cheese and what traditions (from other countries) can we use as inspiration?