Marc van Rijsselberghe has been working on developing saline cultivation on Texel for around 25 years. The testing grounds on the island have attracted a lot of attention over the years. After years of experimenting, last year Marc succeeded in bringing salty potatoes to the market, and this year crops like ice plant, sea lavender and samphire are planned.
Worldwide, about 1.5 billion hectares of agricultural land is threatened by salinization. The cultivation of salt-tolerant crops could be the solution to this problem. The salty potato from Marc van Rijsselberghe, who has 35 years of experience in biodynamic agriculture on Wadden Island Texel, is a good example of this.
Ellen van Straten working on the field.
Ellen van Straten, responsible for cultivation at Marc. and working together with Marc for over twenty years, knows a lot about the project’s history. “Years ago, Marc became intrigued by the cultivation of vegetables in the mud flats. When the VU University Amsterdam wanted to research what grows well and what the opportunities are on saline soil, he didn’t have to think for long, and a Saline Trial Company was started,” Ellen says.
More products
In addition to organic salty potatoes, 2015 will see the release of several other salty vegetables under the ‘Marc.’ brand: ice plant, sea lavender and samphire. The first reactions to the salty vegetables are positive. “The quality of the vegetables is very good.” Ellen says demand is developing in the right direction. “It does remain a challenge. Sea lavender is rather unknown, except in coastal regions. That’s why it’s completely new to many people. Most people we talk to are also enthusiastic about finding a product like the ice plant again, which had all but disappeared.”
Year-round
Ellen says organic salty vegetables are now available almost year-round under the Marc. concept. “In winter, we have sea kale stalks, and the potatoes are still available. In April, sea lavender supplies get going, followed by the samphire and the ice plant. The ice plant grows until November, and then we have the new salty potatoes again.”
Sales
Marc. mainly focuses on consumers interested in good cooking. “These are good products for the so-called ‘foodies’.” There is also interest from the upper segment of the restaurant business, and this is supplemented by the better greengrocers. “These salty vegetables are really suitable for everyone who likes good food.”
She has good expectations for the coming season. “This year, sales-wise we should be okay. The most important thing now is for the crops to make a profit economically as well. There’s nothing wrong with the publicity in any case. There is a lot of attention for our concept in the media.”
For more information: Ellen@marcfoods.nl