“Agency business for unmarketable produce unique in the Westland”

Many companies do not know what to do with batches of spotted cauliflower, overripe melons and tomatoes that have been on the shelves just a bit too long. Job van den Broek, however, made these batches his daily business with his company Westland-Noord, an independent part of the Best Fresh Group, in the Food Center in Poeldijk, the Netherlands. “An agency business such as this did not previously exist in the Westland, and it is definitely meeting a need. I try educating buyers to notify me in time when they think they cannot get rid of their stock. After all, I will be able to pay them more when they do.”

By now, a number of trade, packing and transport companies know where to find Van den Broek to get rid of their unmarketable trade. “It is exciting every day to see what kind of trade I will get, but, in general, I manage to get rid of it pretty well. Many companies are at a loss about these products. As I always say: Your problem is my solution. I have considerable patronage from market boys, and can handle really large volumes in the commission business. Greenhouse and outdoor vegetables are my core business, although I do quite well with the entire fresh produce collection. This summer I did considerable amounts of strawberries as well, and in winter we always do a lot of imported fruit. We also sell to catering suppliers.”

“At the Food Centre, trade is starting to improve nicely, and products are becoming scarcer again. My trade is very dependent on the migrant target group, and they either often leave during the summer, or they buy directly from the gardens. Visitors are now increasing again, but people abroad now know how to find me as well. For example, I now have customers in Germany, Sweden and the UK,” Van den Broek says. “As part of the Best Fresh Group, everything is taken care of perfectly. I am free to buy where I want, and I enjoy the facilities, transport and administrative support of the group.”

“My margin has to be assessed across the board. I often receive pallets filled with trade, and on one product I will make a profit, and on another one a loss, but I have to make sure to make enough profit at the bottom line. For example, vine tomatoes will always sell, but I have to put up with a few other boxes of trade. I like to unburden my suppliers. Rubbish is unmarketable, but I can sometimes select 25 decent mangoes in a box of 50. You will not get first price for them, but it also costs money to dump them. If I really cannot sell the easily marketable products, I send it to food banks. If you want to talk about reducing food waste, I’m your man,” Van den Broek concludes, laughing.

For more information:
Job van den Broek
Westland-Noord
ABC Westland 242 Foodcenter A11
2685 DB Poeldijk

The Netherlands
T: +31 174 214481
M: +31 651890232
info@westland-noord.nl
www.bestfreshgroup.com
www.foodcenterwestland.nl