Lelystad

Coffee has brought Lelystad together since the earliest polder days. In the pioneers' canteen of the 1950s, dike workers relaxed with a steaming mug after the hard work. That same wooden hut now stands as Café‑Restaurant De Cantine in Batavialand and tells visitors that a simple bakkie has always been more than caffeine here.

Yet the young city remained a home brewer for decades. It wasn't until the 1990s, when the population grew and Lelystad shook off its “wilderness” image, that the first espresso bars blossomed. Today nobody claims there is no good coffee to be found in Flevoland anymore.

Local entrepreneurs are now giving Lelystad its own coffee identity. Man met de Baard has been roasting beans in small batches since 2018 and provides jobs for people distanced from the labour market. As a result, the company combines quality with social value and is rapidly winning loyal customers.

Growing Green Coffee opts for organically grown fair‑trade harvests and pays farmers at least US$0.50 above the Fairtrade base price. This model produces fresher beans and better margins throughout the chain. Every week freshly roasted bags hit the shelves, often ending up in the consumer’s grinder within four weeks.

As the exclusive Gaggia importer, STT Lelystad sells high‑end espresso machines and services them locally. Serious home baristas save travel time and benefit from direct advice, which boosts demand for premium equipment.

International names are present too. Illy Caffè opened a branch in Batavia Stad in 2016, followed by Starbucks. Their visibility legitimises the market and shows that Lelystad generates enough volume to attract major chains.

Dutch people drink an average of 150 litres of coffee per year and eighty percent do so at least weekly. Lelystad follows this national pattern but is quickly shifting from filter to specialty. Younger drinkers are asking for flat whites, cold brew and seasonal flavours such as pumpkin spice.

Freshness and origin matter more than ever. Increasingly, residents buy coffee that is only days old and grind at home just before brewing. Local roasters are responding smartly with subscriptions and click‑and‑collect services.

Plant‑based alternatives are growing as well. Oat and soy milk are available in many cafés at no extra charge, bringing in a new audience that uses sustainability and health as decision criteria.

Coffee‑to‑go is gaining ground as well. Mobile espresso bars at train stations and drive‑through services at petrol stations make it easy to schedule several short coffee moments throughout the day.

Since 2018 Lelystad has held the title of Fairtrade Municipality. City Hall serves only certified coffee and urges companies to do the same. As a result, demand for ethically sourced beans is steadily rising.

Waste is also getting attention. Start‑up OVDesigns processes collected coffee grounds into bio‑based plastics for bowls and wall panels. This circular model reduces residual waste and creates new revenue streams from what used to be a cost item.

Several cafés offer a discount through the national “Kopje Gezellig” program when guests bring their own reusable cup. This lowers the consumption of disposable cups and earns the brand goodwill.

Social sustainability is just as present. Community rooms provide free coffee mornings to combat loneliness, and training projects at roasters offer work experience. Coffee thus acts as the lubricant for the entire community.

The Lelystad market shows how a medium‑sized city can quickly come of age in specialty coffee. Clear opportunities await those looking to step in:

- Invest in ultra‑fresh beans, deliver within 48 hours of roasting
- Position sustainable and fair‑trade labels visibly on the packaging
- Offer plant‑based milk without surcharge to attract a broad audience
- Develop mobile or drive‑through concepts for busy commuters
- Organize workshops to teach consumers barista skills

Competition from international chains raises the bar but also expands overall demand. Local craftsmanship, transparent origin and circular innovations are therefore the best way to stand out.

In short, in Lelystad coffee proves that a daily ritual can be a powerful driver of growth, inclusion and sustainability. Those who now focus on quality, innovation and a sense of community set the tone for the next phase of the Dutch coffee market.