Back from being away: food truck Falafel & Halloumi restarts on Utrecht Science Park after fire
On 20th of July 2024, a fire broke out in the kitchen of the foodtruck Falafel & Halloumi on the Utrecht Science Park. No one was injured, but nothing was left of the food truck. After a crowdfunding campaign, a lot of insurance work and his own money, owner Eid Alhadad managed to restart. We talked to him about how he is doing now.
Eid had been on the Utrecht Science Park with his food truck for over three years. His food was popular among students, employees and visitors to the Utrecht Science Park. The fire that broke out cost him a lot of money and energy, but eventually he managed to come back with a new food truck. Although it is not yet like it used to be. Eid says: ‘It’s not yet running as well as it did with the old food truck. Many people don’t know we are back. We have the same concept, but unfortunately turnover is still a bit lower. People need to know how to find us again.’
While Eid is positive, it will take time and effort to get back to the old level. ‘We are trying our best to do everything the way we did at the old stall. We have been here for a long time, so hopefully that will help us grow again.’
“I have had a lot of support from the area here, many people have called me.’
Eid is very happy with the crowdfunding, although it was not quite enough for the entire funding. ‘I was very happy with the amount raised by the crowdfunding campaign. It certainly supported, but by no means all of it. In the end, a lot had to be arranged with insurance as well and I also had to invest my own money and from family. All in all, it has ensured that I can stand here again, for which I am grateful.’
He continues, ‘I’ve also had a lot of support from the area here, many people have called me. They said: ‘We stand by you, we are going to support you’. That felt really nice.’
Eid is not quite sure yet what his future looks like here at the Utrecht Science Park. If it were up to him, he would like to stay here for years to come. ‘I’ll see, in any case I’m putting my full weight behind it,’ he says.
From Utrecht Science Park Foundation, we are very happy that Falafel & Halloumi is back at the Utrecht Science Park. Hopefully everyone will know how to find their way to its delicious and sustainable food truck again, and we wish Eid the best of luck.
Utrecht Science Park Summer Café: Farewell to Managing Director Jan Henk van der Velden
On Monday, 6 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at Grand Café Living on Utrecht Science Park. This edition was dedicated to the farewell of Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, after nine years in which he played a key role in the development and positioning of the ecosystem.
UMC Utrecht is to get a new main entrance and a green campus park
The north side of UMC Utrecht is set to undergo a major redevelopment in the coming years. Utrecht City Council and the teaching hospital have presented plans for a new main entrance, a central car park and a green reception area designed to improve connections between the hospitals at Utrecht Science Park. The plans have now been submitted to the city council.
Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).