Just over two years ago, a devastating fire destroyed four warehouses and a house at De Terp Pumpkins. However, the pumpkin growers did not sit back and mourn their losses; instead, they decided to rebuild, including a new cutting kitchen in their plans. Last Friday, the official opening took place, which also coincided with the celebration of their 40-year anniversary.
De Terp started in 1984 as a biodynamic vegetable farm with just 1 hectare of vegetable cultivation. "I literally started with a wheelbarrow and a rake," says Jeroen. Over the years, the farm has evolved into a mixed agriculture business with cattle. In 1998, they began their first deliveries of organic pumpkins to the largest Dutch supermarket and launched the first pumpkin washing line in Europe.
In 2018, it was decided to discontinue the livestock branch so that all efforts could be focused on the pumpkin business. "We are a specialist across the entire pumpkin chain, from seed to final product."
"We look back on a wonderful opening, attended by about 240 people from our network of growers and customers as well as those involved in the construction," shares founder Jeroen Robbers. "After the reception, we invited Ronald van Marlen as a guest speaker, followed by a celebration with everyone. We've had a very successful rebuilding period, and this was a beautiful way to conclude it."
"With the new construction, we have expanded our capacity and also improved efficiency. Among other innovations in storage, we have improved our heat and energy management through the use of heat pump technology, using the residual heat from cooling in the offices and cafeteria. We now also have battery storage, allowing us to operate entirely on our own electricity for ten months of the year."
De Terp aims to remain a leader in energy transition. "Protein transition, CO₂ storage, biodiversity, nature development, recycling, waste, people, fair trade, waste heat utilization, these are our focus areas. Twenty years ago, we started a nature forest. Five years ago, we expanded it with a 4-hectare food forest, and in recent years, we've added a 2.5-hectare walnut cultivation."
"We've had a good pumpkin year, with large volumes both in the Dutch season and the import season from South Africa and New Zealand. We at De Terp continue to advocate strongly for the orange (winter squash) pumpkin."
"Generally, we see the market for fresh pumpkins stabilizing, but there is growth in the convenience segment. That's why we've heavily invested in our cutting kitchen to supply processed products. Last autumn and winter, we operated it for the first time and are ready to supply more customers. We have the production capacity to provide every interested customer with everything from half pumpkins to diced pumpkin cubes!"
For more information:
Jeroen Robbers
De Terp Pumpkins
Lutterveld 2ª
4117 GV Erichem
Mob: +31 (0)6 50210958
[email protected]
www.deterppompoenen.nl/