Netherlands: “Ready-to-cook spinach is the trend”

“Spinach is healthy and versatile,” says Adrie van de Einden of Green Specialties Holland. “The spinach business has been stable for quite a number of years. We are always working on the promotion of spinach, and we want people to be aware of its benefits.” The Lierop-based company grows and distributes fresh vegetables, including spinach. The latter is supplied all year round.”

“In the old days, spinach was sold in 6kg batches, but now you only see pre-packaged spinach, making it easier for customers. The excuse that it takes too much time to prepare it is no longer valid.”

If it were up to Green Specialties Holland, the consumption of fresh spinach would increase dramatically. In cooking shows on TV, there’s a lot more attention for the versatility of the vegetable. “You see spinach show up in places you wouldn’t expect it, like in pasta. Young people are a little more open to it, I think. But there’s still a lot to be gained in the public’s awareness.”

According to Adrie van de Einden a lot of people are wary of spinach because they don’t know how to prepare it. “New ways to prepare the vegetable, like blanching and so on, are getting more and more popular. But you could even eat it raw. Not many people know that.”

adrie@vdeinden.nl