Do you want to eat more sustainably, but have no idea how to start? The Ecoterian app is based on scientific research and presents it to users in an accessible way. And no, you don’t have to go completely vegan to do your bit for the planet.
Documentaries about sustainability made Lise Vermeersch and her partner, both engineers by training, think about the way we live and eat. “We realised that eating differently is important for ourselves and for the planet. But if you look things up online, you find a lot of contradictory information, about nutritional values and climate impact,” says Lise.
Removing the barriers
So they decided to take matters into their own hands, and a year and a half ago, they founded Ecoterian. “Right from the start, we could count on lots of volunteers, so the idea was shaped by several people.” And that idea is plant-based, zero waste and seasonal food. Lise and co spent time in the kitchen, studied nutrition and channelled their research into a database. Then, they shared their findings with the world. “We wanted to remove the barrier of sustainable eating for others, because not everyone feels like putting so much time and energy into the whole process.”
According to Lisa, adopting a different lifestyle takes time. “Creating a new habit is like doing a sport. You have to get into it and build up to it slowly. For many people, going completely plant-based immediately was something that put them off. We thought the easiest way to help people was to make an app. It charts a personal pathway where everyone can make their own choices towards a more sustainable diet, in the way they choose.”
The start and future of an enterprise
Of course, creating an app costs money. So the team behind Ecoterian approached Start.VUB, in search of a first investor to enable them to hire a developer. Then, thanks to crowdfunding, they made the first version of the app. “We did everything apart from the app development ourselves, for free, and got a lot of help from volunteers. Now that we have a minimum viable product (MVP), we are looking at the possibilities for subsidies from VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and other investors.”
With the first version having arrived, and the initial idea made more concrete, Ecoterian is receiving lots of enthusiastic reactions. Lise: “Many people see the possibilities. The platform allows for many things in the long term, including for producers of sustainable products, such as the Vegetarian Butcher. We are already in contact with them and sustainable shops, and so there are really lots of people who could join the platform. The possibilities for growth offer so many opportunities.”
What can you expect?
Ecoterian doesn’t make explicit dietary recommendations. “We’ve had everything checked by a dietician, but we only provide information. We’ve developed levels and challenges where we explain in a fun way why we need B12, for example. The nutritional values are in our recipes, as well as tips for what you might add to your menu today.”
The current MVP contains sustainable recipes that let you measure the impact of your diet. Would you like to test it? Sign up on the Ecoterian website!