It was a painful scream for help, in March: "We're stuck with 15,000 heads of lettuce per day". Eighty per cent of the sales of From Boer, the lettuce growing company of Arjan and Leonard Boer, were gone. That problem isn't solved entirely, but they haven't been standing still with the development of a new product, pesto.
The pesto, pesto From Boer, was developed in cooperation with recipe developer Little Miss Artichoke. "For every 100 grams of pesto 75 grams of lettuce is needed, so we have quite the supply here", says Leonard Boer. "Plus, our pesto can be stored way longer, especially when preserved 'grandmother style'."
Happy with the little things
After the first two hard weeks, the sales for the lettuce growers have improved a bit, luckily. "Especially to retail, we've been able to sell some more. They try to do something extra or find an alternative after our appeal, but that isn't always easy.
Now and then, a little extra goes to a cutting company, but that doesn't solve it either, although all the little things help. We're very happy with that, but did decide to switch some products to alternatives where the sales estimation is more positive."
Production at large scale
At the question if a producer has come to produce their pesto at large scale, we get a realistic answer: "For now, we're glad that even our neighbour who doesn't like 'normal' pesto, enjoyed ours! But when a supplier comes to us, of course we'll think about it. Losing eighty per cent of your income is quite a bit.."
Leonard and Arjan Boer
Positive thinking
The recipe for the pesto is public, and everyone can use it. From Boer does appeal kindly to local restaurants. If, after corona, they want to serve something other than traditional basil-based pesto, Arjan and Leonard would be glad to deliver the main ingredient.
And apart from the pesto, the entrepreneurs look forward. "All and all, we're looking a bit more positive towards the coming months. We keep thinking positively and try to manage as well as we can. Especially looking at our new project in Dinteloord. We're really looking forward to that. Thanks to that, among others, we look positive towards the future", concludes Leonard.
For more information:
From Boer
www.fromboer.nl
info@fromboer.nl
Arjan Boer
arjan@fromboer.nl
+31 (0) 653946193
Leonard Boer
leonard@fromboer.nl
+31 (0) 651115080