GREAT BAY--Freegan Food Foundation and Leaders for Change Foundation have both been nominated for the Appeltjes van Oranje 2026, one of the Kingdom’s major social awards, under this year’s theme, “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty.”
The two St. Maarten foundations are calling on the public in St. Maarten, the Dutch Caribbean, the wider Kingdom and abroad to cast their votes and help bring an Appeltje van Oranje to St. Maarten for the first time. In more than two decades of the award, no organization based in St. Maarten has ever won.
“Two nominations from one island, in one theme, in one year, and still no Appeltje has ever come home to St. Maarten,” the foundations said in a joint statement. “Our communities know what poverty looks like, and we know what it takes to break the cycle. This is the year to change that.”
The Appeltjes van Oranje, or “Little Apples of Orange,” are awarded annually by the Oranje Fonds, the largest social fund in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The fund is patronized by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
Since 2003, the Appeltjes van Oranje have recognized social initiatives in the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean that make a difference in their communities. Each year, three winning organizations receive a bronze sculpture by Princess Beatrix, a financial prize and national recognition.
Although organizations from St. Maarten have been nominated in previous years, none has won the award. The 2026 nominations give the island another opportunity to change that.
This year’s theme, “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty,” focuses on organizations working to address intergenerational and structural poverty. The Oranje Fonds is recognizing initiatives that go beyond emergency relief by helping to restore dignity, strengthen self-reliance and create lasting pathways out of vulnerable circumstances.
Both St. Maarten nominees were selected for their work in this area, each through a different but complementary approach.
Freegan Food Foundation supports individuals and families in vulnerable situations in St. Maarten with assistance that extends beyond food. At the center of its work is a client-choice food bank, where participants are able to choose what they take home, helping to preserve dignity and personal autonomy.
The foundation also provides support through coaches who work with participants on personal challenges, including finances, administration and access to services. This is combined with courses and opportunities for participation, with the goal of addressing the underlying causes of poverty rather than only its immediate effects.
“We are building dignity, trust, and a community where people can take part again,” said a spokesperson for Freegan Food Foundation. “This nomination is recognition for every participant who walked through our doors and chose to keep moving forward.”
Leaders for Change Foundation works with vulnerable persons through a broad approach that includes humanitarian aid, livelihood skills development, disaster preparedness, advocacy and partnerships.
The foundation provides essential resources such as food, clean water, shelter and healthcare when disaster strikes. It also invests in vocational training and education to help individuals build more stable and independent lives.
Through its work in community resilience and advocacy for vulnerable populations, Leaders for Change Foundation aims to address poverty at its roots and strengthen St. Maarten’s ability to withstand shocks that can deepen hardship.
“Resilience is not built in a single moment, it is built every day, with every family we walk beside,” said a spokesperson for Leaders for Change Foundation. “To see St. Maarten represented twice in this nomination is a powerful signal that our island is ready to lead.”
The public vote is an important part of the Appeltjes van Oranje selection process. Voting is free and open to persons in St. Maarten, the wider Kingdom and abroad.
Persons can vote for Freegan Food Foundation at:
https://www.appeltjevanoranje.nl/projecten/freegan-food-foundation
Persons can vote for Leaders for Change Foundation at:
https://www.appeltjevanoranje.nl/projecten/leaders-change
The voting deadline is May 27.
The foundations are encouraging the St. Maarten community, schools, churches, businesses, civil organizations and supporters abroad to vote and share the links widely.
They said bringing an Appeltje van Oranje to St. Maarten for the first time would be a milestone for the island and a recognition of the people and organizations working daily to address poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion.
More than two decades after the Appeltjes van Oranje were first awarded, St. Maarten has not yet secured a winning place. With two local nominees on the shortlist and a theme directly connected to the realities faced by many in the community, Freegan Food Foundation and Leaders for Change Foundation said 2026 presents an opportunity for the public to help make that history possible.
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