Netherlands: ThankyouNature products contain more healthy nutrients

ThankYouNature’s mission is to make Holland healthier. It does that by showing the benefits of fresh produce for the human body. ThankyouNature products contain more than average healthy nutrients. This is because of the on-going search for fresh, original varieties in combination with modern cultivation techniques and strict quality control. The ThankYouNature concept is an initiative by BF3 (Best Fresh Functional Foods B.V.), which is itself a cooperation between Rob Baan of Koppert Cress, Mart Valstar of Valstar Holland and Ted van Heijningen of Eminent.

Jan van Heijningen: “Our goal was to come up with produce that is verifiably healthier than most. About 15% healthier in fact. To be clear: it is not an organic product. Organic is not healthier than conventional products. ThankyouNature is. Organic is sustainable and good for the environment. Therefore it is often associated with health. ThankyouNature is actually a new product in a new market."

ThankYouNature products won’t be found at major retailers just yet. The people behind the label aren’t aiming for supermarkets and wholesalers, who are already overstocked, but at individual greengrocers, entrepreneurs seeking to distinguish themselves. In fact, participating suppliers follow a mandatory training on how to market the produce, how to prepare them and how the benefit people’s health.

One such participant is André Paap, owner of a greengrocer in Pijnacker. He considers himself an ambassador for ThankYouNature: “As a modest retailer, you have to distinguish yourself from large chains. A way to do that is to offer people produce that is proven to be healthier than anything else on the market.” According to Paap, his customers are already warming up to the concept. “It’s mostly young people who are buying. People willing to try something new, people dedicated to healthy living. It is my dream to have a store that sells ThankYouNature products exclusively.”

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