Hein Deprez Named Person of the Year at We’re Smart Future Awards in Osaka

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. Hein Deprez of Greenyard (Belgium) was named Person of the Year.

We’re Smart World is an international movement that promotes pure plant-based eating, or the use of fruits and vegetables, and sustainability in the hospitality and food industries. The driving force behind the movement is Frank Fol, known as The Vegetables Chef®. The Future Awards recognize companies that innovate with fruits and vegetables. The organization aims to encourage the food sector and consumers to work as plant-based as possible, reduce food waste, and make sustainable choices.

Japanese chef Keiko Kuwakino of Five Radish restaurant Sanaburi – named Vegetable Lady Chef of the Year by We’re Smart World in 2023 – and Belgian chef Lieven Lootens of Five Radish restaurant ‘t Aards Paradijs, provided a fitting pure plant-based lunch after the Award Show.

Frank Fol, founder of We’re Smart World: "This event in Osaka, in the presence of Princess Astrid, is a powerful signal that sustainability within the food sector is no longer a niche but is becoming a central pillar of our food culture. We are proud to stimulate this movement and honor the pioneers who are making a difference."

Hein Deprez of Greenyard is We're Smart World Person of the Year

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.

Frank Fol: "The vision and tireless dedication of Hein Deprez have been the driving force behind making Greenyard a world leader in the fruit and vegetable sector. His entrepreneurial spirit, from the early years to today, has not only shaped the company's growth but has also significantly contributed to making healthy, plant-based food more accessible to millions of people worldwide."

‘Brooddoosnodig’ (Lunchbox Needed) is Project of the Year

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.

‘Food Inspiration’ and ‘Plant’ win communication awards

This year's communication awards go to two Dutch initiatives.

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.

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.

'Plant' of Chef Emile van der Staak, Communication of the Year, Future Awards 2025Chef Emile van der Staak

Frank Fol: "‘Food Inspiration’ and ‘Plant’ demonstrate the importance of communication in inspiring change. They help us share the beauty and potential of plant-based cuisine in an attractive and accessible way."

Innovative products honored

The Future Awards also spotlight innovative products with the Innovation, Product, and Special Future Award of the Year.

Sea Vegetable Company (Japan) receives the Innovation Award of the Year 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.

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.

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.

Frank Fol: “The supply and development of fermented seaweed, Broccoli Super Sprouts, and other high-quality, local, and sustainable products show that the future of food is full of creativity and sustainability. These groundbreaking developments are promising and show the way to a smarter food chain."

Note to the editor:

Please note in your agenda: The brand new We're Smart Green Guide will be announced in London on November 11, 2025. The We’re Smart Awards for the Best Vegetable Restaurants in the World will also be presented then. Discover last year's winners here.

Press Contact:

Would you like an interview with the award winners or We’re Smart founder Frank Fol? Or would you like to be kept informed of the activities of We’re Smart World? Then don’t hesitate to contact us.

Saar Dietvorst

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Saskia Castelyns

press contact, manley

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