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At The Nest, we believe that food is one of the most powerful ways to nurture health, happiness, and sustainability. That belief led us to our newest partnership: becoming the majority shareholder in Belgomeals, a pioneer in healthy, affordable meals for children. Here’s why this matters to us - and why it matters for the next generation.
Our Mission: Food as Medicine
At The Nest Family Office, everything we do starts with a simple truth: what we eat shapes our health and our planet. Through our investments -such as Biotope Group and Ardo- and initiatives -such as the Food as Medicine Foundation- we support businesses and projects that make nutritious, sustainable food accessible for all.
Children hold a special place in this mission. The first six years of life are crucial for physical and cognitive development. By this age, the brain has reached almost 90% of its adult size, and every meal contributes to that growth. We know that giving children healthy, balanced food early on is not just a nutritional choice. It’s an investment in their future and in society as a whole.
That’s why, when we met the team at Belgomeals, we immediately recognized a shared vision.
Why Belgomeals? A Decade of Impact and Growth
Belgomeals began in 2014 with a clear mission: to bring fresh, balanced meals to childcare centers at an affordable price. Over the past decade, they have grown from preparing 3,000 meals a day to delivering 18,000 nutritious meals daily to more than 400 childcare centers in Flanders and Brussels.
What impressed us most? Their unwavering commitment to quality, health, and sustainability:
- Meals designed according to official child nutrition guidelines (Opgroeien)
- Use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the cold chain method to preserve nutrients and flavor.
- A diverse range of meals for different age groups - starter purées, complete baby meals, and balanced toddler plates.
- A focus on inclusion and customization (halal, vegetarian, and medical diets on prescription).
Els Thermote, founder of The Nest:
“Food is one of the most powerful ways to promote health and well-being. What children eat today shapes their tomorrow. Belgomeals is a company that truly understands this - and lives it every day.”
Our Role: Scaling Impact, Sustaining Quality
By joining forces with Belgomeals, we’re not changing who they are - we’re helping them go further, faster. Together, we aim to:
- Expand access: reach more childcare centers and families.
- Accelerate sustainability: reduce food waste, optimize eco-friendly packaging, and strengthen local sourcing.
- Drive innovation: invest in new recipes, digital solutions, and operational excellence.
The core team at Belgomeals remains in place, led by CEO Gino Mouton, whose leadership has been key to the company’s growth. Two members of The Nest team - Anouk Schoors and Louis Dhont- will join the board to help shape strategy and support this next chapter.
Gino Mouton, CEO of Belgomeals:
“This partnership is not the end of a journey, but the start of an exciting new chapter. With The Nest by our side, we can make healthy, varied meals accessible to even more children - and do it in a way that respects the planet.”
For Us, It’s About More Than Business
At The Nest, we don’t see this as just an investment. It’s a commitment - to children, to families, and to the planet. Every meal that Belgomeals serves is a step toward a healthier generation and a more sustainable world.
Els Thermote concludes:
“We believe that healthy food should never be a privilege - it should be a right. By supporting Belgomeals, we are taking one more step toward making that belief a reality.”
Learn more about Belgomeals and their mission at www.belgomeals.be.