wellness
Neukolln Residents Ditch Meat: Legumes and Nuts Replace Protein Sources
Neukolln residents are shifting toward legumes, nuts and seeds for daily protein needs amid rising costs at local grocers.
How we reported this
Shoppers at the Maybachufer market now fill baskets with dried lentils and chickpeas more often than cuts of meat on Friday mornings.
The change tracks with a 22 percent jump in plant-protein sales across Berlin districts since January 2025, according to figures released last month by the city’s consumer affairs office. Families cite both price and a desire to cut back on processed meats as reasons for the switch.
Neukolln’s active wellness scene has helped spread the habit. The weekly market on Maybachufer stocks bulk bins of red lentils at €1.45 per kilo and roasted pumpkin seeds at €3.80 for 250 grams. Around the corner on Weserstraße, the KiezKüche cooperative runs a Tuesday evening program that teaches residents how to combine beans with grains for complete protein profiles.
Stocking up on Sonnenallee
Further east, the Bio Company outlet on Sonnenallee keeps a steady supply of tempeh and hemp hearts. Staff there report that packs of 200-gram tempeh now move twice as fast as they did two years ago. A short walk away, the community garden on Donaustraße offers free workshops on sprouting chickpeas, with the next session scheduled for 15 July.
Prices remain stable. A 500-gram bag of organic black beans costs €2.10 at the Sonnenallee store, while the same weight of minced beef runs €6.50 at nearby butchers. The gap has widened since supply-chain costs rose in late 2024.
Putting the options to use
Simple swaps fit easily into existing routines. A bowl of the market’s red lentils simmered with onions and cumin delivers 18 grams of protein per serving. Adding a handful of the Sonnenallee hemp hearts pushes the total past 25 grams without extra cooking time. Residents who attend the KiezKüche sessions learn to batch-cook these bases on weekends and portion them for weekday lunches.
Anyone new to the approach can start with one market visit and one workshop. The next KiezKüche session begins at 18:30 on Weserstraße; the Maybachufer stalls open at 08:00 on Fridays. Local nutritionists recommend checking with a doctor before making large dietary changes.