Don't linger too long on nostalgic feelings, but look ahead. This is what Cees and Leo van der Lans did a few years ago in a duo interview, and it is also what Cees does in a recently recorded podcast.
Meanwhile, the tomato grower has been forced to take a step back due to MS disease, and he visits the greenhouse less and less, but he is still fully involved. This is clear from his conversation with Maurice Wubben for the podcast 'From Greenhouse to Consumer'.
In it, Cees talks about the origins of the tomato growing company, a real family business, and all the growth steps the company has taken since then. From Cubalaan in Poeldijk via Bagijneland and Kreekrug, among others, to Rilland and Dinteloord these days. And Egypt, where his brother is currently engaged.
There is also a lot of focus on all the innovations and collaborations in which Cees was involved. For instance, did you know that the idea for what is now called Rainlevelr came from Cees?
A special step was the start of GreenPack. The grower started packaging himself and growing fast with it. So much so that a vacant hall of Disselkoen caught their eye. 'Like peasants' they entered into talks with The Greenery, and not many years later the 4,000 square meters proved too small. Retail, against Cees' expectations, saw fit to have the tomatoes professionally packed on a large scale.
Listen to the whole podcast here, in which Cees also gives his views on the future of horticulture. Will tomato growing in the Netherlands follow rose growing?
Cees van der Lans in 2020