Dutch grower holds Dinner in the Sky with spectacular aerial view of greenhouses

Last week, Looye Kwekers invited guests to a high-end dinner, literally and figuratively. Customers from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, as well as influencers, the press, and winners of its consumer campaign, were hoisted up - divided into six rounds - via a platform attached to a crane. They enjoy a three-course meal by Michelin-starred chef Marleen Brouwer with a spectacular view of Dutch greenhouses.

Before this highlight, Margriet Looije took guests through this company, started by Grandpa Looije in 1946's history. Today, the company grows tomatoes on a total area of 55 hectares at two locations. With its Honing and JOYN tomatoes, the grower has a unique position at retailers and greengrocers.

Job Struijk (Looye Kwekers) and Remon de Kleine (Postuma AGF).

Margriet and her sister, Annelies, took over from their father, Jos, at the end of 2020. Their other sister, Jacqueline, runs the Spanish cultivation company. The sisters' mission is to let people enjoy tasty tomatoes as much as possible. They want to have a leading position in every segment, regarding flavor and reputation, in the Northwest European market by 2030. Margriet, thus, revealed it would soon start a taste lab in the Netherlands.

Margriet Looije.

Sustainability is high on the company's agenda, too. Margriet mentioned its investments in LED lighting, its geothermal heat source at one of its sites, packaging recycling, and the Honey Highway, which the company and some others launched. "That should all contribute to the goal of climate-neutral cultivation by 2040," she says.

From Westland to global player, as the business video voice-over says. Margriet took the opportunity to thank their clients for their support, confidence, and dedication. "We look forward to the years to come."

Then it was time to soar. The special crane lifted guests to spectacular heights for a culinary journey of discovery starring the tomato. Top chef Marleen Brouwer of Restaurant Noor in Groningen is a true ambassador of Looye's tomatoes and, at 50 meters in the air, presented a three-course menu in which JOYN and Honing tomatoes naturally played the leading role.

Esther van Renswoude, Eduard Horlings and Eric Groenheide.

After the meal, cultivation managers Dennis and Stefan gave guests a greenhouse tour. They were shown how strict Honing tomato selection is, where only 20% of production eventually meets this tasty tomato's standards. The participants returned home with a well-filled goody bag, but above all, an unforgettable experience.

Marjon van Aarle and Angelique Goesten.