After a career spanning more than 45 years in the fresh produce trade, Hans van Maurik has embarked on a new challenge this year. Operating under the name Fresh Goods Handler, he now works as an agent marketing sous-vide cooked beetroot in the Dutch, Belgian, and German markets.
Hans van Mourik
Beet processing in Lithuania
Sous-vide is a healthy cooking method that preserves the flavour, nutrients, and texture of food. "We source our red beets from Lithuania, and when vacuum-packed, they have an exceptionally long shelf life. These beets are becoming increasingly popular, especially in catering, food service, and in the food industry," Hans explains.
The beets from the Lithuanian company Jovaige are available whole, but also in cubes, sticks, and julienne cuts, in packaging sizes ranging from 500 grams to 2.5 kilograms. "Our peak season runs from April to July. There are hardly any fresh beets on the market during that period."
Hans also represents a wide range of sous-vide cooked corn from The Farm Route. The products can be prepared in just a few minutes on the barbecue, in the oven, or an air fryer. "The market is steadily shifting from animal-based to plant-based foods. Our products fit perfectly with this trend. They are an ideal choice for quick, high-quality meals with minimal effort," Hans says enthusiastically. "Using the sous-vide method, we cook our vegetables in their own juices, which ensures optimal flavour, nutritional value, and food safety."
"Having spent many years in the fresh produce business, I'm now discovering the advantages of sous-vide cooked products. They not only offer outstanding taste and texture, but also save valuable preparation time," says Hans.
He is surprised by the rapid growth of ready-to-eat maize and beetroot products within the fresh produce sector. "We have storage facilities in Benschop for the beetroot and in 's-Heerenhoek for the corn. Customers can order by the pallet and are responsible for arranging their own transport. In that sense, I've become a real box shipper—in the best sense of the word—serving as a link between growers and the trade. I look forward to expanding these sales in the coming years."
For more information:
Hans van Maurik
Fresh Goods Handler
Boveneind NZ 74
3405 AJ Benschop
Mob: +316 4270 9672
[email protected]