After ten years at the helm of fruit vegetable cooperative Growers United, Jan Opschoor is leaving at the end of this year. Jan wants to focus on making cultivation more sustainable and has chosen to take a new step as Director of Business Development & Sustainability at Van Iperen. "I'm following my heart with this, this really suits me. I will stay close to the growers and can contribute to an important challenge for their businesses. But I will miss the colleagues and cooperation with the members of Growers United very much," said Jan Opschoor.
The board of Growers United regrets the departure of Jan Opschoor. Jack Groenewegen, Growers United chairman: "Our organization owes a lot to Jan. It's a shame to see him leave. Of course, we congratulate him on his new job, which suits him well. As director, Jan has always been very close to the members. This also applies to his staff. He is a true connector. That has taken us far. Under his leadership, Growers United has grown into one of the major vegetable fruit cooperatives in the Netherlands. In addition, in recent years, he has worked hard to accelerate the sustainability of cultivation within FVO (Federatie Vruchtgroente Organisaties) and within a number of other sector-wide organizations."
Ten years ago, Jan stood at the cradle of the brand-new Cooperative - then under the name DOOR - as managing director, responsible for the sales, marketing, and quality of Prominent tomatoes, Purple Pride aubergines, Green Diamond cucumbers, SweetPoint pointed peppers, and PapriCo peppers. At that time, the fruiting vegetables were still sorted and packed at five different locations. In 2020, these brands came under one roof, and the name changed to Coöperatie Growers United. In ten years, together with its enterprising members, the organization has experienced enormous growth and now has 200 employees and three retail packing locations in De Lier, Zwaagdijk, and in Maasdijk.
Jan Opschoor: "I would prefer never to leave the people and the mission of Growers United. Yet my time as managing director is over. I get to contribute to one of the biggest challenges we face as an agricultural sector: sustainable and profitable cultivation. Working on the balance between food security, sustainability and strong horticultural businesses. And not only in horticulture, but also in open cultivation. Nationally and internationally."
The board will soon announce who will succeed Jan as Managing Director of Growers United.
For more information:
Growers United 
www.growersunited.nl