In the Dutch village of Babberich, near the German border, soft fruit grower Piet Albers cultivates raspberries and red currants. But don't mistake him for a traditional grower, Piet is always looking ahead, says The Greenery.
His mindset is simple but powerful: "How can we do things better, smarter, and more sustainably?" That forward-thinking approach has led to some striking results, like growing raspberries under solar panels.
© The Greenery
Raspberries under solar panels
Most raspberry growers use plastic film tunnels to shield their crops from sun and rain. But film can tear loose in strong winds and needs to be replaced every year, bringing extra labor, cost, and waste.
Piet saw an opportunity to do things differently.
He replaced the traditional plastic covers with solar panels that allow 40% of sunlight to pass through. "It's perfect for raspberries, which don't like harsh sunlight," Piet explains. "If it gets too hot, the fruit can burn. And with solar panels, I can also prevent rain damage, without having to install new plastic every year."
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With 3 hectares of solar panels, Piet's farm now generates enough electricity to power 685 households. "So we're not just producing sustainable fruit," he says, "we're also contributing to renewable energy generation. It's a double win."
Lagorai raspberries
Within Inspiring Berries, The Greenery's soft fruit brand, Piet's raspberries stand out. He grows the Lagorai variety, known for its uniform fruit, sweet flavor, juiciness, and excellent shelf life.
Customers love them, and Piet gets it. "I'm a big fan of raspberries myself," he says. "They're just incredibly tasty!"
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What Piet loves about raspberry cultivation is the speed of the process. "Just two months after planting, the plants are already bearing fruit," he says. "It's something that amazes me every single time."
Inspiring grower with vision
Piet Albers enjoys working with supply chain partners who share his sustainable vision, and he actively contributes to raising the profile of raspberries in a positive way.
"With his innovative approach, Piet is truly making a difference, for our customers, for consumers, and for the world of tomorrow," concludes The Greenery.
© The Greenery
For more information:
Marco Meijer
The Greenery
Spoorwegemplacement 1
2991 VT Barendrecht
06 40 43 89 97
[email protected]
www.thegreenery.com
