While many wholesalers have stopped expanding their range, Lukassen Food Group actually believes in expanding theirs. On 1 April, the wholesaler from Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, started with Selection Foods, a newcomer on the market for nuts and subtropical fruits, delicatessen and tinned foods. Paul Dekker, an old hand at this trade, has been appointed commercial manager of the company. “We have to continue in the food branch, and can no longer be dependent solely on greengrocer’s shops. Our range is a nice addition to retail, food service, and fresh specialist’s shops, but definitely for the greengrocer’s who doesn’t want to miss the connection as well.”
Previously, Lukassen started supplying pine nuts under a private label, and that took such flight that demand for other nuts soon started. “Besides pine nuts, the runners are walnuts, cashews and almonds. We offer the entire range in all sorts, both roasted, salted, natural and in a mix,” Paul says. “Sourcing the nuts is quite a challenge at the moment. We are now waiting for the new harvest cashews from Vietnam, and for good walnuts from Chile and the US.”
“But we are going to start supplying a much broader assortment of nuts, subtropical fruits and delicatessen. For example, during the season, we have Italian truffles from the ‘Tartufi Alfonso Fortunati’ brand. We can supply these truffles within 48 hours. Furthermore, we also offer a nice range of fresh olives, and in future we want to supply olive oil as well,” Paul says. “We also sell a small assortment of tinned foods under the brands Dole, Carmen and Colli Eugenei, known for, among other things, cooking pears.”
“Selection Foods will also promote firsts from the Lukassen Food Group, such as the Ready-to-Eat products, and the direct import form Rungis under the Frais a Table name. The benefit of this complete range is that customers can find everything they want under one roof. Our customers can daily place their order with their own salesman from our modern distribution centre in Nieuwegein. We supply from Selection Foods from Monday to Friday, to every desired address,” Paul explains.
“In addition to the Dutch market, we are focusing on the German and Belgian market as well. We also received the first requests from Switzerland. It’s my job to make Selection Food an institution on the market. For that, we want to be distinctive with a correct price-quality ratio. Feel free to visit us soon,” Paul concludes.
For more information:
Paul Dekker
Selection Foods
Tel: +31 (0)30 227 06 49
paul@selectionfoods.nl
www.selectionfoods.nl