Marc van Rijsselberghe founded 'Zilte Teelt' (Saline Cultivation) in the Netherlands. Using science and partners such as grower Henk Broekman and wholesaler Jansen-Dongen, salty potatoes will be introduced to the Dutch market. This solution to the major issue of salinization comes after years of testing.
An added distinction - natural seaweed fertilization is used in growing these potatoes. This season this salty potato is on the supermarket chain Jumbo's shelves under its own brand. "Salinization significantly changes the potatoes' flavor, making them sweeter and tastier," says Laurens Jansen of van Jansen-Dongen.
Left: Stan de Jager from Jansen-Dongen, right: the salty carrots and potatoes.
Also, a multi-year project, ‘Zeker Zilt’, has been started to develop and market salty potatoes and carrots under the ‘Van de Wadden’ brand.
It is supported not only by the Wadden Fund, growers from the Wadden region in the Netherlands, and the Waddengoud hallmark.
The Louis Bolk Institute - a Dutch knowledge institute for sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and health supports it too. The yield per hectare is slightly lower, so cultivation adjustments and added value in product processing and marketing are sought to create a profitable, new earnings model for growers in the region.
The 'Van de Wadden' brand uses a robust, starchy potato variety. This season, a select number of parties, including wholesaler Jansen-Dongen, will introduce these potatoes and carrots for consumption. Besides ware potatoes, salty chips will also be introduced under this brand. "These are produced with salty potatoes, grown in the Wadden region, and fertilized with seaweed. The potatoes are naturally deliciously salty, so the chips need very little salt, and all available varieties are bursting with flavor," concludes Laurens.
For more information:
Laurens Jansen / Stan de Jager
Jansen-Dongen
90 Vierbundersweg
5047 TN, Tilburg, NL
Mob: +31 (0) 622 957 314
Email: Laurens@jansen-dongen.nl / commerce@jansen-dongen.nl
Website: www.jansen-dongen.nl