A Healthy Start: How partnership creates lasting impact

Strong partnerships are at the heart of meaningful impact. The long-standing collaboration between Het Koffiehuis and Starbucks Manufacturing EMEA is a great example of how this can grow into something truly special.

Recently, Starbucks Manufacturing EMEA nominated Het Koffiehuis for a grant from the Starbucks Foundation in the US. After a thorough selection process, this resulted in a donation of over €8,000 — a milestone moment for the organization.

In November, the team from Het Koffiehuis was invited to receive the award in person at the Starbucks headquarters. The visit included a coffee tasting, a shared lunch, and a behind-the-scenes tour of The Plant — a memorable experience that highlighted the strength of this partnership.

From donation to daily impact
Thanks to this funding, Het Koffiehuis launched the “Healthy Start” program in January 2026 — and the impact is already visible. The focus is simple but powerful: providing healthier, more sustainable meals for visitors. This includes:

• More fresh fruit and vegetables
• Better quality meat and ingredients
• Conscious, nutritious choices and, of course, great coffee

Fruit, in particular, has become a favorite. Apples disappear almost instantly — often taken along as a healthy snack for the road.

Cooking with care & pride
The difference is not only visible on the plates, but also in the kitchen. Volunteers are enthusiastic about the new possibilities. For the first time, they have the resources to cook truly healthy meals instead of relying solely on tight budgets. From traditional Dutch dishes like sauerkraut with potatoes and sausage, to weekly Thai meals prepared by volunteer Willem — the menu has become more diverse, nutritious, and joyful.

A partnership to be proud of
Business Involved is proud to have been part of this journey and to have connected these two partners over the years. Seeing a collaboration grow into tangible, lasting impact for the community is exactly what we strive for.

This is what partnership looks like at its best: local impact, powered by shared commitment. Excited to also partner up with impactful organizations in Amsterdam? Let’s plan an introduction.