Netherlands: Growers discuss shorter chains with healthcare organizations

Creating a short direct chain from agri/food companies to healthcare organizations in their region. That is the purpose of the program Healthy Short Chains of Diverzio foundation, which started in North-Holland on February 14. At the office of Rabobank West Friesland in Zwaagdijk East about 50 regional growers and breeders were present for the first of four Masterclasses.

From potato farmers to pepper growers and from fruit company to cauliflower grower. They were all attending in order to witness the launch of Healthy Short Chains. With that program the Diverzio foundation has a second iron in the fire to come to a better, fresh healthcare meal. The program Sustainable and Healthy at the Table is now running nationwide in six regions. Healthy Short Chains has also that potential, but is off to a start in the region that is affectionately described by strategic advisor Jacques Dekker as "the green chemist of the Netherlands and perhaps of the world."

Rabobanks

The choice of a Rabobank office as location for the first masterclass was not accidental. The program is supported by the Rabobanks Alkmaar, Kop van Noord-Holland and West Friesland. Those banks played a major role in composing the group of participants. The group received a warm welcome from Arjan Smit, Director of Business of Rabobank West Friesland. He spoke of a "unique event. That this takes place here is fully justified."

His colleague Mirjam Bus, Business Manager Food & Agri of Rabobank Kop van Noord-Holland, treated the party to a presentation about 'Banking for Food,’ the vision of the bank on agriculture and food for more than 9 billion people by 2050. "It is totally local", she revealed her credo, and added:" the opportunities are there for the taking. I am mighty proud of our region."

Food Sector Specialist Martijn Rol of Rabo Netherlands reflected on the transition in the Food Chain. He underlined the importance of a short and transparent chain from grower to consumer: "You have to think from the position of the consumer, not from the supply," Rol stated.

Potential

Strategic advisor Jacques Dekker and director Koen Nouws Keij from Diverzio foundation shed light on the perspective for North-Holland and outlined the opportunities and the huge potential of this region. Dekker received much acclaim for his plea for a Ministry for Agriculture, Nutrition and Health. Nouws Keij showed that there is a worldwide demand for fresh and delicious local produce: "There's a potential for millions of euros in the field of fresh food and drinks in health care," he told the spellbound growers and breeders.

Mike Venekamp of Atlantis Handelshuis from Den Helder then sketched a picture of how the regional chain organization of the sustainable health care kitchen might look like. “Bring supply and demand together," he said. He also underlined the importance of a distinctive vision for the own product.

The afternoon ended with a work order. For the next meeting on March 15 in the Westfriesgasthuis in Hoorn, all participants will map out where they see their chances. Incidentally, none of the participants went home empty-handed. In addition to an informative course file and a bag of pears from De Toffe Peer, everyone received a bunch of tulips from Noord-Holland for the home front. It happened to be Valentine's Day ...

Healthy Short Chains is a program of Diverzio, Rabobank Alkmaar and surrounding area, Rabobank Kop van Noord-Holland and Rabobank West-Friesland. In collaboration with Atlantis Handelshuis BV, Greenport North-Holland Noord, municipalities and province of North-Holland.

For more information:
Diverzio
Campuslaan 6
6602 HX Wijchen
Tel: +31 (0)24 - 8200280
info@diverzio.nl
www.diverzio.nl