A few years ago, wholesaler AGF-Holland introduced the Johannes packaging line. This plastic-free line consists of baskets, trays, and banderoles. It's made from specially-developed natural cardboard that uses 100% organic, biodegradable material. All packaging is now also available with a sealing/click lid.
Since then, many growers and importers have started using this packaging under private labels. That includes the German tomato-growing Bong family. For Michael Bong, this fulfills a wish. "One of our retail customers told us they want to remove all plastic packaging. We'd been supplying our tomatoes in this for years. So we started trawling the Internet. We wanted to find a fun, attractive, but above all, more natural way to package our tomatoes. When we saw AGF-Holland's packaging line we loved it right away," he says.
"The telephone call with AGF Holland went great. We told them what we wanted and they quickly sent us several samples that we could show to our client. The customer was immediately enthusiastic, so we promptly ordered the packaging. Then, our plastic boxes ran out. But the new cardboard boxes hadn't yet been produced. So to bridge the gap, AGF Holland brought boxes by car from the Netherlands. We really appreciated that uncomplicated solution."
Bong has been packing their tomatoes in this new Johannes packaging for a few weeks now. And it's been a very positive experience. "Our clients still give us a lot of positive feedback. We even get emails from consumers. They tell us how happy they are with our natural tomato packaging in these beautiful, ecologically responsible new boxes. The packing's fixed lid means packaging does now take a little more work. But we knew that beforehand. And our tomato buyers fit the bill for that," concludes Michael.
For more information:
Johannes Janssen
AGF-Holland
26 De Weijert
8325 EM, Vollenhove, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 527 224 950
Email: info@johannes.nl
Website: www.johannes.nl