Creamery De Zuivelarij from Berlare (East Flanders) has won the 2026 BioVLAM award. The cheese dairy impressed the jury with its organic versions of paneer and labneh, two international dairy specialities.
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Cheese dairy De Zuivelarij wins BioVLAM 2026 award with organic paneer and labneh
Colin Clapson
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Every year, the BioVLAM award recognises a Flemish organic entrepreneur who excels in innovation, a passion for organic produce and sustainability. The creamery received the award at the BioXpo organic trade fair in Groot-Bijgaarden (Flemish Brabant) last Monday.
David De Coster founded De Zuivelarij in 2014. Previously, he worked as a chef, both at home and abroad, and taught at a hotel management school.
He developed Berloumi, a Belgian grilled cheese, inspired by Cypriot halloumi.
In 2017, De Zuivelarij also began producing organic cheeses. Four of the company’s five products now have an organic variant. The company has now been awarded the BioVLAM prize on account of its organic variants of paneer, an Indian cheese, and labneh, a cheese popular in the Middle East.
Pig feed keeps production process sustainable
De Zuivelarij will act as an ambassador for the organic sector over the coming year.
“Of course, you hold out hope, but when I saw the other nominees, I was already feeling a bit less confident,” admits David De Coster. “They also have some excellent organic projects. I’m looking forward to taking on the role of ambassador for organic farming for a year.”
Organic cheese now accounts for around 20 per cent of De Zuivelarij’s turnover. One in five production days is devoted entirely to organic production.
The company is also committed to efficient and sustainable production in other areas. Leftover cheese whey is used as pig feed. In addition, heat from the production process is recovered to warm milk for the next production run.