TommyTomato makes it possible for children at schools to enjoy healthy, vegetarian meals. They deliver warm, veggie-packed lunches to primary schools and make learning about vegetables fun, with playful assignments and cooking lessons in school. Founders Erik van der Plas and Bas Turk share their vision on healthy eating, the impact they’re making and the role DOEN Participaties plays in their growth.
From idea to implementation
Erik and Bas, both fathers of three, decided in 2020 to join forces for an important goal: improving children’s eating habits. Erik, who studied Law and Business, first worked in the corporate world, while Bas began his career in marketing. “We didn’t start with a perfect plan, but we believed in the idea and just went for it,” says Erik. What began as a simple mission to deliver healthy meals to schools, quickly grew into a broader vision. One that goes beyond food alone. “The real challenge isn’t the meals themselves, but creating a system where healthy food is central for the next generation,” Bas explains. That’s why TommyTomato combines vegetables and fun with cooking lessons and activities to teach kids why healthy eating matters.
Impact at schools: healthy meals, greater opportunities
TommyTomato offers vegetarian lunches that contribute to the protein transition and help reduce obesity. The meals are carefully crafted by a recipe developer and nutritionist, featuring colorful vegetables to ensure children get a variety of vitamins. “Healthy food is a powerful tool for creating opportunities for kids,” says Erik. “By offering nutritious meals, we support not only their physical health but also their academic performance.”
At a school in Amsterdam, the lunches are a natural fit. “We believe it’s important for kids to be physically and mentally balanced,” says the school principal. “Our students move for an average of an hour a day. A healthy lunch fits right in.” Since introducing the lunches, he’s seen clear effects: “It’s wonderful to see students eating together and sharing the same meal. It builds a sense of unity in the classroom. Parents tell us their children are eating more vegetables at home, and in class they’re talking about new tastes and vegetables they’re discovering.”
Partnering with DOEN Participaties
With four locations, over two million meals delivered in 2024 and 300 participating schools, TommyTomato is a key player in the education sector. Support from DOEN Participaties has played a major role in TommyTomato’s success. In 2021, the company received funding from Stichting DOEN, which helped them further develop their idea and expand to more schools. “DOEN looks beyond the numbers. They care about the real change we want to create,” says Bas. In 2024, DOEN Participaties invested again, enabling TommyTomato to scale up nationwide.
The future: growing with impact
TommyTomato’s ambitions for the future are bold. Bas and Erik want to expand their reach and offer more education around healthy eating. “Healthy food should be just as important as reading and math,” Erik emphasizes. “It should be a school subject, so children learn early on how food affects their lives.” The Amsterdam school principal agrees: “TommyTomato genuinely wants to make a difference in schools. Their mission aligns perfectly with the challenges of our time.”
Their message to other entrepreneurs working toward a better world? “Just go for it,” says Bas. “You’ll make mistakes, but that’s how you learn and grow. Start, even if you don’t have all the answers yet.” Erik adds, “The most important thing is to keep going, keep improving, and keep believing in what you’re doing.”
DOEN Participaties is investing in TommyTomato thanks to the participants of the Postcode Loterij.
