Lidl takes banana ripening facility into use

From now on, Lidl's Dutch branches will have their bananas, mangoes, and avocados ripened at a facility in the Moerdijk industrial park in the south of the Netherlands. "Lidl has been active here for 15 years already. This is an expansion of those activities", says Linda de Groot, press spokesperson for the Moerdijk Port Authority. There are a few small fruit and vegetable companies active in Moerdijk. Lidl is the first to start large-scale activities in a newly constructed, 22,500 square metre building. This German discount supermarket chain group already uses a 17,500 square metre distribution centre for non-food activities.

Sustainable
Sustainability was an important issue when Moerdijk was being considered as a location for the ripening facility. "Moerdijk's good location, logistically-speaking, makes for more efficient CO2 emissions. This means a shorter direct route for perishable items, which, in turn, guarantees optimal quality. The building itself also meets the highest current requirements regarding sustainability. The distribution centre makes use of heat-cold storage, energy is generated by using our own solar panels, and the lighting is 100% LED. The building is also natural gas-free, and only natural coolants are used. In addition, the building has excellent air quality, good acoustics and many safety measures. A very open interior with flexible work spaces also makes the distribution centre a pleasant, modern working environment. Every effort has been made to treat the people and the natural environment as well as possible, now and in the future. The distribution centre will offer employment to 100 people", according to Lidl.