Robert Gaasbeek
Although fruit and vegetable products are the main focus for Frais à Table, Robert also buys fish, poultry, cheeses and shellfish at Rungis. "Businesses can contact me for basically anything that has to do with fresh food. I deliver a total concept from Rungis," explains Robert. "Lukassen created Frais à Table to expand its range, and it has been successful. We do not supply directly to restaurants, but get many orders from catering suppliers and specialty stores to supplement their products with better products that are difficult to obtain in the Netherlands. And if there's something we don't yet have access to, we look for it."
Forgotten vegetables
According to Robert, the most important development in the vegetable supply at Rungis is the rise of forgotten vegetables and mini-vegetables. "These we have available in numerous shapes and sizes. My supplier, Sales from Perpignan, is able to deliver directly to companies outside France, which is quite a unique asset. The sun-dried tomatoes from Sud'n'Sol are also popular. Those are really the sort of products that catering suppliers are looking for, which shows we can definitely contribute something to the Lukassen firm."
Robert is to be found several times a week at Rungis. "My van can fit three pallets and for the rest I rent trucks," explains the buyer. Although he is physically present in the wholesale market, he buys as much as possible directly from the suppliers. "I check out how the marketing of a product is going and I then approach the producers directly, making use of Rungis as transit point. I always know where the products come from."
He looks at the future of Frais à Table with optimism. "We have got a lot of business from catering suppliers in Belgium. That's just a slightly different market than the Dutch, which often looks for refined products, and they often come to me!"
For more information:
Frais à Table
Laagraven 11-13
3439 LG Nieuwegein