Van Gelder fruit & vegetables is taking the next step in indoor cultivation. In cooperation with vertical cultivation specialist PlantLab, production has been considerably expanded.
At the PlantLab production location in Amsterdam, substantial investments have been made in new Plant Production Units (PPUs), enabling Van Gelder's indoor range to be cultivated on an area of 2,600 m2. Managing Director Gerrit van Gelder says, "Thanks to this expansion we can increase production to 3,500 kilos per week."
Indoor cultivation
To transform products into real flavor bombs, growing conditions such as, light, humidity, temperature and water are adjusted per crop. "This is how we get the most out of the plant" Gerrit explains enthusiastically. "Those who visit our Experience Center in Ridderkerk can experience the process with their own eyes. Here we have two PPUs where we test new products and show the process to our customers, if we are satisfied with the results it can be produced on a large scale in Amsterdam."
Exclusively at Van Gelder
In 2019, Van Gelder and PlantLab introduced the indoor cultivation line, Gerrit says: "The introduction went better than expected. We received many positive reactions and sales also increased by the week."
The corona crisis temporarily threw a spanner in the works, as it did for so many in the sector. But now that all measures are behind us, the next step in the roll-out can be taken by further expanding the production capacity. Gerrit says: "The indoor products will be available exclusively from Van Gelder. At Van Gelder we aim to make the Netherlands eat healthier and more sustainably, for example by supplying products with more taste and higher nutritional values. The indoor products meet all the points of this vision, which is why we are investing heavily in them."
For more information:
www.vangeldernederland.nl/indoor