6 October 2022
Interview
0 reacties
207x viewed
Mary van Hoek-Hendriks is secretary and board member Communication & Media at the Vegetable & Fruit Brigade. She is the inspiration to answer the "five questions to" this time.
About the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade
The Vegetable & Fruit Brigade rescues a wide variety of batches of fruits and vegetables from growers and traders every week. Any fruit and vegetable product that is still sufficiently fresh for several days and suitable for human consumption can be rescued by the brigade. By then delivering these to food banks in the Netherlands, they ensure that food bank customers can eat healthier.
1. Why are you engaged in sustainable business?
'The Vegetable & Fruit Brigade is a special enterprise, affiliated with Food Banks Netherlands. We are a foundation that runs on volunteers, unpaid. From people who are ready every day to the board. That is very unique about this organization.
For us, sustainable business is on two sides. On the one hand helping to reduce food waste. On the other hand, offering the clients of Voedselbank Nederland healthy and fresh food. This way we also contribute to a better diet. And people have more freedom of choice to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.'
2. What do you think is needed to accelerate the path to a sustainable society?
'Our magic is the chain approach. Collaboration is something you see more and more in organizations. With us, it's mainly the common goal. Everyone knows for whom we are doing it. That we make sure that people who temporarily can't afford it get food aid. Because this really is a strong common goal, the whole chain contributes to it. That creates trust and a chain approach, because you constantly have that social relevance at the forefront.
There is support from various parties and from the individual. With us, you work with a good feeling because you want to contribute to society. That is so intrinsically motivated and not comparable to a commercial enterprise. As soon as money disappears, it gives way to trust. I find it very special to experience and to be involved in this.'
"With us, you work with a good feeling because you want to contribute to society"
3. What do you contribute
3. What do you contribute
to a smarter, more sustainable and healthier Limburg?
'At the Vegetable & Fruit Brigade, we are incredibly good at thinking around things. Also in our distribution organization. We look at what the customer needs and what we can do from that supply flow. Meanwhile, we keep adjusting our logistics to make a good connection between supply and customer. And so actually create that connection.
That also means that our various locations in the Netherlands work in different ways. Yet we are one and have the same look and feel. That in turn has to do with our common goal.
With fresh fruit and vegetables, we contribute above all to a healthier Limburg. In the most sustainable way possible, of course. We are not at Fresh Park Venlo for nothing. We want to be flexible towards the supply chain and are situated at locations where fruit and vegetables change hands. That way we make it as easy and findable as possible for the suppliers. That also saves the growers kilometers.'
4. How can other organizations/entrepreneurs make that shift? Do you have any good tips?
'Focus on that shared horizon. Chain cooperation only follows when you all want to go in the same direction. Or have the same goal in mind. If you start looking, you find it together.
My paid job is in food innovation. I have always worked from input from the shop floor upwards (strategy). It's all about a supported story. And that really starts with those doing the work, the people who are in contact with your customers or your suppliers. If you ignite that spark there, you're going to fly as an organization.
So sustainable business, I think, has a lot to do with the commitment of your staff. Do people feel connected to what you want to achieve? Nowadays, as an organization, you can't escape the fact that there is a piece of social relevance in that.'
"Chain cooperation only follows when you all want to go in the same direction"
5. Why are you a member of shiftLimburg and what can this platform do for you?
'The Vegetable & Fruit Brigade would like to be visible in Limburg for new suppliers and volunteers. We see the number of food bank clients increasing. The lower limit at food banks has been broadened, so we can start helping a lot of people. We just have no idea yet how much will come our way, which will also have consequences for the supply chain.
For us, it is important to tell our story. The Vegetable & Fruit Brigade did not settle in Limburg as a temporary project. We are here for the long term, because food aid will always be needed. Poverty is of all times. Now we see that increase coming and I hope we will see decreases again. Food waste is also of all times. If we can link those two things and shiftLimburg can help us be visible and findable, we will be greatly helped.'