Roelant de Vletter: Measuring and experiencing vital food
Roelant de Vletter - Stijgbeeld.nl
Roelant de Vletter is an independent Dutch researcher, educator, and visionary innovator dedicated to exploring and visualizing the vitality and inner quality of food, soil, plants, and natural products. As the founder of Stijgbeeld.nl and co-founder of Vör Foundation, he has spent decades developing and applying image-forming research methods that reveal the energetic and structural qualities of living systems.
Roelant is also a committed member of the Community Vital Food, working together to promote vital soils, plants and animals, vital food and people.
Since 1995, Roelant has specialised in rising images, chromas, and crystallisation techniques—visual methods that make visible patterns related to vitality, resilience, and biological integrity in food and agricultural products. His work compares the effects of conventional, organic, and biodynamic farming practices, as well as processing, storage, and preparation methods, offering unique insights into food quality and ecosystem health.
Rising image of spinache
Roelant is passionate about bridging science, art, agriculture, and consciousness. Through research, workshops, publications, and public presentations, he helps farmers, producers, and consumers better understand the deeper qualities of nutrition and the living world.
Roelant: “Imaging research methods overlap within the research field. It is not the case that one method excludes or is superior to another. Some products yield an image that is “better” to read using a specific method. The amount of research conducted with a method and a particular product also plays a role. The larger the image database and the more exchange there has been in this field, the more suitable a method is for a product. However, there are exceptions. Soil and manure are best analyzed using round filter chromatography. In this case, more than 50 years of research data and interpretation has been conducted regarding soil, soil properties, soil problems, and the most appropriate solutions.”
A living, fertile soil
“The levels of minerals and trace elements in many foods are known. However, these studies do not take into account the ideal balance in which these substances are present. Intensive fertilization of plants with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus can cause significant imbalances of minerals and trace elements in the soil—and subsequently in the final plant. For instance, an excess of one substance can block the absorption of another. This imbalance is passed on to the body and brain of the person consuming the plant. And that can have major consequences for their health.“
With a rare combination of curiosity, craftsmanship, and holistic vision, Roelant de Vletter continues to inspire a growing audience to look beyond measurable ingredients and reconnect with the life force and vitality of food, water, and nature.
Workshop
VIV Hall 10, Innovation Square 2, 10:30-11:30
On Wednesday, June 3rd, Roelant will host a workshop at Cities Leading Food Production and show you how these imaging techniques work and engage with you to broaden your mind on nature’s workings.
Register your free ticket for VIV Europe 2026 in Utrecht and join us at Cities Leading Food Production’s Innovation Atelier!
