How do the heads of lettuce from a grower in Zeeland end up on the plates of consumers in Zeeland? Funnily enough, this is one of the most complicated challenges, logistically. “From farmer to plate has become tricky,” says Wilfred van Elzakker, commercial manager of Agrimarkt. During the themed meeting Short Supply Chains of Food Delta Zeeland, he talked about Agrimarkt’s regional concept. The second speaker was Drees Peter van den Bosch, co-founder of Willem&Drees, co-founder of BeeBox and Task Force Short Supply Chain. He started doing things completely differently when the short supply chain turned out to be a plaything of the supermarkets.
Wilfred van Elzakker, commercial manager Agrimarkt
Small product has major impact on image
In 2012, Agrimarkt decided to become dedicated to regional products. “The short supply chain was a spearhead. That means we started investing excessively in it, and it cost us a pretty penny,” Wilfred emphasised. Short supply chain aren’t business as usual, it requires a completely different approach. For Agrimarkt, a service provider is an essential link in the short supply chain, with a turnover share of ten per cent of the entire supermarket. Profits can mostly be found in the distinguishable ability. Wilfred: “A small product does more for your image than a bottle of Coca-Cola.” As advantages, he mentioned the many positive responses from customers, they recognise Agrimarkt as a proper supermarket that sells regional products. The mutual knowledge in the supply chain has also increased enormously, and Agrimarkt could generate sales for a surplus of pumpkins and melons.
Drees Peter van den Bosch, Willem&Drees
From plaything to impact
Drees Peter has been active in short supply chains for about ten years. His career started in sales for Unilever. The sales of Knor Vie, a drink made from concentrated fruit and vegetables, was an eye-opener for him, and he decided to change course and become dedicated to alternative and sustainable food supply chains. He founded Willem&Drees with a partner in 2009, and locally produced fruit and vegetables were given a place on supermarket shelves. In 2017, however, they ended their successful but difficult cooperation. “We were a ‘plaything,’ a marketing tool to sell good, special and local products, but we wanted to have a real impact and sell large volumes,” Drees Peter explained.
The organisation was pleased with the turnout
Willem&Drees changed tack, and now, after a merger with meal box supplier BeeBox, they supply meal boxes via an online platform. “Scaling up and cooperations are necessary to be successful. With more than 150,000 deliveries per year, we now make an impact with our volume.” Drees Peter considers the short supply chain as a pillar supporting a robust food system, and he’s convinced this will be given shape in the next few years. “The current system doesn’t keep in mind factors such as climate, biodiversity, subsidence and social impact. Debates are currently being held about this, and actual costs of food are still uncertain. But this debate will reach its conclusion within the next few years. Doing the maths properly, you’ll arrive at the short supply chain.”
Alex van Hootegem of De Grote Verleiding says that solutions have to be found for logistics in particular
René Ruisaard, CapsNobel, and Jurgen Heinis, Schouw Informatisering
Tomato grower Wilko Wisse, Lans, and Ko Franckx, assistent manager of cooperative CZAV
The waters of Zeeland are important food suppliers for Caroline Verwijs-van Fraassen (Krijn Verwijs) and Jan Kruisse of De Zeeuwse Zeewierhandel, with Simon Bruijnooge of SBconsult
Benny de Haan and Ferdie Quinten of catering supplier Kreko Group, Goes branch
Marijn van Son, project manager Short Supply Chains for Food Delta Zeeland will soon enter into talks with a number of participants to facilitate Short Supply Chains in Zeeland