Foodpilgrims Heritage Tasting Walk

Where does our food future really come from? In honour of UN World Food Day 2026, on the morning of Friday 16th October 2026, de Foodarchaeloog Jeroen van Vaerenbergh will guide an enthusiastic group of Foodpilgrims on a sensory journey from Rupelmonde to Antwerp.

A culinary migration from the 16th century Renaissance to sustainable future food, Foodpilgrims is designed to connect Antwerp's upcoming Smaakhaven with its origins. Between the 16th-century tidal mill of Rupelmonde and the city, participants will experience how food, landscape, and innovation have always grown together.

Through walking, distance regains meaning and food history becomes tangible. As a living prologue to the Smaakhaven, Foodpilgrims demonstrates that true innovation is rooted in craftsmanship and ingenuity. The story connects city and hinterland, past and future, and invites us to look differently at how we produce, share, and appreciate food.

Practical details:

• Heritage hiking bites inlcuding vegetarian options and drink included.

• We will gather at 8:00am (sharp!) at the Linkeroever side of Voetgangerstunnel (Frederik van Eedenplein = leftbank side, above ground of pedestrian tunnel under river Schelde). Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh, De Foodarcheoloog, will receive you there. Together we will take the public bus (line 93, direction Sint-Niklaas) to Rupelmonde (start of our walk). At the end of the walk we will be back in the city centre of Antwerp (Steenplein). 

• We will walk in nature, on mostly hardened tracks (accessibility is good, but not guaranteed especially in case of bad weather conditions).  

• We will walk between 6 and 7 km on mostly flat tracks. Good to moderate physical condition is needed. The final kilometers to Antwerp we go by boat (Waterbus) to the city centre (Steenplein). 

• We recommend that you bring a small backpack, a bottle of water  and comfortable walking shoes. In case of rain, a raincoat and/or umbrella

About de Foodarcheoloog:
Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh, De Foodarcheoloog, investigates archaeological food remains and uncovers fascinating stories about the everyday survival of ordinary people in the past, revealing a sustainable message that still resonates today.