
Student-led. Non-profit. Taking back the canteen with healthy, vegan meals.
What started as a protest against the status quo is now your daily alternative. De Nieuwe Mensa is a student-led non-profit initiative serving fresh, vegan meals for a fair price—because affordable food shouldn't be a radical idea.
FROM PROTEST MOVEMENT TO CANTEEN STALL










The canteen was too expensive. That's why we protested on campus by giving out free food.

Next, we launched a food stall at the Roeterseilandcampus of the University of Amsterdam.

Now, we're serving around 2000 healthy, vegan, and affordable meals to hungry students & staff per week.











We're a non-profit — the money we make only covers our costs, which include ingredients, a service fee we pay to Cirfood, and fair wages for our cooks. We keep the price as low as we can to make the canteen accessible to as many students as possible.

Good food starts with responsible sourcing. We cooperate with local farmers and Amsterdam-based stores to keep our supply chain short and direct. DNM is also part of the Dutch cuisine program “Biodiversiteit op je board” that is partnered with the WWF.

All our dishes are fully vegan, built on staples like rice, couscous, and legumes that form the base of a satisfying meal. We avoid processed ingredients, focusing instead on creating depth of flavor through thoughtful seasoning and high-quality ingredients.



Do you have an event coming up and want healthy, sustainable and affordable dining for your attendees? We offer all-inclusive catering for 100+ people. Click the button below to get in touch with us.