Aris, Rochus en Dirk Pieter van der Meer have just started harvesting their first organic tomatoes on the Dutch island of Schouwen-Duiveland, for Nature & More. Their tomatoes will also be exported to the UK. By choosing organic, they want to respond to the growing demand for organic products. Until now the three brothers were growing conventional tomatoes. "What we like about organic most is the special attention for taste and the interest of organic consumers in the grower's story."
The organic sector continues to grow each year. In the Netherland consumer spendings have tripled since 2000 and the number of certified organic companies has grown by 50%. To meet growing consumer demands, production must be increased. One of the companies to grab this opportunity is Organic Brothers. Their organic greenhouse is located in Sirjansland, a small village with 300 inhabitants. The three brothers commenced growing organic tomatoes this year.
Switching to organic was a logical step for them. " What we like about organic most is the special attention for taste and the interest of organic consumers in the grower's story" says brother Aris. "To me, a high production volume is a bit less important then having excellent taste." Aris and his brothers are growing organic Roma tomatoes on the vine and Pomodirini's this season (a delicious cocktail prune tomato on the vine). Apart from these specialties they also grow standard organic tomatoes on the vine and cucumbers.
Going organic means that the Van der Meers have to spend energy on creating a healthy, living soil. Previously the brothers were already putting serious effort in improving the environment of the greenhouse by planting trees, wildflowers and hedges. "We imported 3000 cubic meters of compost. We are also going to start a crop rotation scheme with tomatoes and cucumbers. This way we can keep soil fertility at point. And of course that benefits the taste too!" Aric concludes.
Meet Organic Brothers through code 300 at www.natureandmore.com. Nature & More is the "trace & tell" trademark of Eosta, Europe's most innovative distributor of organic fruits and vegetables.
Photo, left to right: Dirk Pieter, Rochus and Aris van der Meer
Source: Nature & More
