The desire for shorter lines and transparency is still a live issue, even more so in the organic sector than in the conventional one. Van Woerden Flevo spent several years scaling-up their operations, and they’ve become specialised in crops such as carrots and consumption potatoes. This year, the company realised their next, drastic step, one towards the buyers. A new shed, their own processing lines and a BRC Food certificate make short lines to buyers an option. “A trusted feeling regarding our products is actually self-evident, but we can serve the customer even better because of personal contact,” says owner Stefan van Woerden, the third generation in the family company.
The Van Woerden Flevo family company switched from regular production to organic production about 25 years ago. “As a pioneer in the Dutch province of Flevoland, Van Woerden Flevo switched to organic agriculture in 1994. My father realised it would be the future, and over the years we developed into a professional organic agricultural company. Besides, we increased the number of our hectares, but just as important is the developed knowledge of organic production, the state of the soil and environment. This is reflected in our product.”
Demand market
Although more growers have switched to organic production, the organic carrot market is still a demand market. Stefan: “Demand mostly came from the fresh market at first, but it’s now also coming from food service and industry more. Due to the increase in size, we managed to meet increasing demand and we grew to about 80-85 hectares of organic carrots. In total, we’re quite a considerable player in the Netherlands.” Van Woerden Flevo supplies organic carrots year-round. “We start harvesting early in July, and we supply carrots fresh from the field until early December. After that, we can supply carrots from storage. Last year we had a dry summer, but we were relatively unaffected by this. Flevoland has good irrigation facilities, so we managed to grow a qualitatively good product this summer as well.”
Van Woerden Flevo supplies a custom product to their buyers, who are processors, retailers and wholesalers. Stefan: “We have some contractual agreements, but day trade is our largest share. As a salesperson, I represent the ‘purchaser’s side of things’ because of our own production. I know exactly where the product comes from, and I can immediately switch in consultation with the buyer. To be even more focused on the customer, we want to continue expanding into the organic processing of carrots and potatoes.” An important improvement is that the time between harvest and processing is limited to two hours, and carrots, if necessary, can be quickly cooled down to 4 degrees Celsius after harvesting. “When we start harvesting at 5 in the morning and immediately unload at the cleaning station, the product can be loaded unto the lorry for transport by 7. The botanical processes are stopped by hydro-cooling, which is to the considerable benefit of the carrots, allowing them to be transported to far-off destinations such as Poland and the UK. The carrots remain fresh, additional delays at the border in case of a no-deal Brexit wouldn’t be a problem for our carrots, as long as they’re kept at the right temperature during transport.”
Added value
In recent years they’ve worked towards even more added value. In 2018, these plans were all realised. In January 2018, construction of a new shed was finished with an exclusive processing hall for carrots and potatoes, and after a trial phase it was officially taken into use in July 2018. The set-up was made as practical as possibly, logistically, and the processing and unloading halls are separated spaces. From the unloading room, the carrots are moved to the processing room via a conveyor belt, so the produce remains clean and free of dust. From the processing rooms, the carrots in big bags are immediately moved to the shipping department with docks. The processing and distribution spaces are cooled.
A lot of water is used during the processing, hydro-cooling, cleaning and polishing of the carrots. It’s therefore logical that an organic company also considers the environmental aspects. Stefan: “We use light tools and smart technology during both the production and processing to make the production processes as sustainable as possible. We realised a closed water circulation behind the processing room, to naturally purify our water. The water traverses 200 metres through water basins and canals so that it is well-filtered. This way, we waste as little water as possible.”
Besides all of the technology used, in the end it’s about organising the entire process as well and as safely as possible – from seed to delivered product. Perhaps that’s why Van Woerden Flevo is proudest of their BRC Food certificate, with which they reached the highest possible level late in September. Stefan: “With it, we show we have everything in order and that we meet the highest standards in the field of food safety, quality and legislation, so that we can immediately start supplying major retailers in Europe.”
More information:
Van Woerden Flevo
Stefan van Woerden
[email protected]
www.vanwoerdenflevo.nl
