Frozen vegetables offer consumers considerable benefits. They are convenient, healthy, and long-lasting. But what happens before that bag of spinach ends up in the freezer? Marco Bom, agro manager at frozen vegetable specialist Ardo, takes us to the fields where it all begins.
Marco Blom
Ardo supports contract farming
"We want to be involved in the cultivation from the get-go," he says. Marco leads a team of agronomists at Ardo in Zundert, the Netherlands, where they primarily process leafy vegetables, with spinach cream being their main product. This Belgian family-owned business operates 16 sites across seven countries. In the Netherlands, the focus is on the provinces of Brabant and Flevoland, while other crops go to Belgian locations.
Long-term relationships with growers
The company has no issues finding growers: "Some families have been growing for us for three generations." Ardo deliberately opts for long-term partnerships. "We're selective in who we choose," says Marco.
Climate dynamics demand diversification
The seasons alternate between extremely wet and dry. "That's why we spread our cultivation geographically. Fortunately, it rarely rains everywhere at once. Drought is tricky but manageable with irrigation." In Ardooie, Belgium, Ardo growers have access to treated process and rainwater from a 150-million-liter buffer basin.
Sustainable and innovative
Contract farming enables the vegetable processing specialist to actively guide their growers toward more sustainable cultivation practices. "We're increasingly replacing chemistry with biology," Marco explains. Think of spot sprayers that specifically target weeds and bacteria that fight caterpillars. Some 15% of their cultivation is organic, including spinach in Flevoland, as well as carrots, cauliflower, peas, and beans. Ardo strives for more residue-free, conventionally-grown vegetables, too.
Seed selection also plays a role. "We use resistant varieties, such as mildew-resistant spinach. But nature adapts quickly, so breeders remain necessary." Ardo is betting on regenerative agriculture, too. "Healthy soil helps manage extreme weather conditions. Our MIMOSA+ program supports that," says Bom.
Frozen vegetables no longer a given
The sector is vulnerable, though. "Climate change causes harvest fluctuations, and there are ever-stricter regulations around crop protection. Shortages can very easily follow a year with surpluses." Ardo, thus, processes high-risk products in advance, if possible.
Drones monitor food safety
The company uses drones to find plastic or cans in their growers' fields. "They detect abnormalities before the crop goes to the factory," Marc points out. Traditional cleaning methods follows. "Prevention is always better than a cure."
Finally, Ardo processes herbs like parsley, basil, and chervil from France and Austria, and fruit via partners. "We have a broad range, from raspberries to pineapple," Marco concludes.
For more information
Ardo
www.ardo.com
[email protected]