She runs this Dutch company, along with Peer Schraven and Jolanda Nooijen. Since October last year, they have been supported by Ron van Vonderen, a former director at Peka Kroef.
Compliment's first crop of iceberg lettuce has been planted
"Mother Nature always corrects herself. This was evident when the last day of frost was followed directly by lovely Spring sunshine. Since then we have been able to plant iceberg lettuce, fennel, Chinese cabbage, and carrots. Soon we will also plant celery and radicchio Rosso. Our fields are in good condition, and we are, therefore, confident in the coming growing season. Although the season got off to a late start, we will make sure our crops are ready to be harvested at around 10 May, just as in previous years. The iceberg lettuce season runs to 20 October, while the other crops' seasons run a little longer."
The fields are in a good condition
Reliable delivery and food safety
"What we have, however, noticed is that retailers are serious about their business-to-consumer dealings. They are increasingly opting for reliable deliveries and food safety. We have held these values in high regard for a long time which has helped us forge good relationships with the retailers. In the Netherlands, many retailers want to supply products under their own label. However, we regularly see our own label among retailers in other countries, such as Italy. This makes us very proud", says Jolanda Nooijen.
Organic farming beginning
Compliment wants to distinguish themselves by continually anticipating changes in the market. This is why they have invested in a vacuum cooling system for their iceberg lettuce. This lengthens this product's shelf life to a week. They have also had the 'Milieukeur' (Dutch environment label) certification for some time. Jolanda says, "Compliment works according to the Compliment standard. This includes GlobalGAP, Global Grasp, BRC and 'Milieukeur'. Last year, there was a fear that the 'Milieukeur' requirements were to be lowered. It seems that since then the bar has remained high. It is only its interpretation that has been simplified. The advantage of this is that more people can now work with this label. In order to further distinguish ourselves, we want all our retail suppliers to be 'Milieukeur' compliant by 2019. We are also going one step further when it comes to organic farming. In the 2018 season, we are planting four crops in Skal-certified soil. Compliment already has a Skal packaging certificate."
"Since the company's start in 2001, Compliment has undergone various metamorphoses. The company's relocation in 2017 was one of the largest. The new building in Zeelandsedijk, in the town of Volkel, was taken into use in April last year. After a year, this can be described as a good match", concludes René.
For more information
Jolanda Nooijen
Compliment BV
1 Zeelandsedijk
5408 SL Uden
Tel: +31 (0) 486 450 452
info@complimentbv.nl
www.complimentbv.nl
Compliment's first crop of iceberg lettuce has been planted
"Mother Nature always corrects herself. This was evident when the last day of frost was followed directly by lovely Spring sunshine. Since then we have been able to plant iceberg lettuce, fennel, Chinese cabbage, and carrots. Soon we will also plant celery and radicchio Rosso. Our fields are in good condition, and we are, therefore, confident in the coming growing season. Although the season got off to a late start, we will make sure our crops are ready to be harvested at around 10 May, just as in previous years. The iceberg lettuce season runs to 20 October, while the other crops' seasons run a little longer."
Besides the crops mentioned, Compliment also cultivates cherries and pumpkins. "We do not have Broccoli this year as we could not agree on a favourable price. Last year we also, successfully, grew sweet potatoes. It is easy to grow this crop in the Netherlands, but harvesting and processing are very expensive. This is why we will not continue with this product this year", adds Peer Schraven. "Every year in December, we meet with our buyers to discuss the coming season. We are proud of our good portfolio of customers from all parts of the agricultural sector. Thanks to the quality and quantity of our products, we can provide products to a wide range of customers. These range from retailers to processors and from wholesalers to local and international market merchants."
The fields are in a good condition
Reliable delivery and food safety
"What we have, however, noticed is that retailers are serious about their business-to-consumer dealings. They are increasingly opting for reliable deliveries and food safety. We have held these values in high regard for a long time which has helped us forge good relationships with the retailers. In the Netherlands, many retailers want to supply products under their own label. However, we regularly see our own label among retailers in other countries, such as Italy. This makes us very proud", says Jolanda Nooijen.
Organic farming beginning
Compliment wants to distinguish themselves by continually anticipating changes in the market. This is why they have invested in a vacuum cooling system for their iceberg lettuce. This lengthens this product's shelf life to a week. They have also had the 'Milieukeur' (Dutch environment label) certification for some time. Jolanda says, "Compliment works according to the Compliment standard. This includes GlobalGAP, Global Grasp, BRC and 'Milieukeur'. Last year, there was a fear that the 'Milieukeur' requirements were to be lowered. It seems that since then the bar has remained high. It is only its interpretation that has been simplified. The advantage of this is that more people can now work with this label. In order to further distinguish ourselves, we want all our retail suppliers to be 'Milieukeur' compliant by 2019. We are also going one step further when it comes to organic farming. In the 2018 season, we are planting four crops in Skal-certified soil. Compliment already has a Skal packaging certificate."
"Since the company's start in 2001, Compliment has undergone various metamorphoses. The company's relocation in 2017 was one of the largest. The new building in Zeelandsedijk, in the town of Volkel, was taken into use in April last year. After a year, this can be described as a good match", concludes René.
For more information
Jolanda Nooijen
Compliment BV
1 Zeelandsedijk
5408 SL Uden
Tel: +31 (0) 486 450 452
info@complimentbv.nl
www.complimentbv.nl