23 June 2025
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Thursday, June 19, Erwin Boom, alderman Economy, Social Affairs and Knowledge Infrastructure, together with Frank Hessing, CEO of Hessing SuperVers, opened the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade at Fresh Park Venlo. After cutting a bright yellow ribbon, befitting the summer conditions, over fifty guests entered the location from which fresh fruit and vegetables find their way daily to Food Banks in the region.
For Erwin Boom, it was his second activity that day in the context of healthy food for lower-income people and curbing food waste. "As the municipality of Venlo, we want our residents to eat healthier. Thanks to initiatives like this one, we make sure that people with a small budget also have access to healthy food."
Social Impact
Hessing SuperVers has been a supplier to Food Banks for many years. The start was a meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Sies, founders of the Food Bank. "Actually, it's double. On the one hand, from a business point of view, I don't want products to be left over. But our social responsibility wins out. On top of that, in an operation like ours, where 800,000 packages of sliced fruits and vegetables are made every day, there are always lots left over that are still very good, but can no longer go into the retail channel." Frank Hessing emphasizes that all products delivered still have a shelf life of several days.
Cooperation partner
.For these efforts Frank Hessing received a certificate as Cooperation Partner of the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade from the hands of chairman Gert Mulder as a first. At the same time, Gert Mulder thanked Rabobank, Circle Limburg for a financial injection and put the volunteers in the limelight. "Special thanks to the volunteers who are here every day to make sure that everything runs smoothly for the companies."
The Healthy Bag
On behalf of all clients, volunteers and presidents of Food Banks in the region, Stephan Lesterhuis, president Food Bank Venlo congratulated the Vegetable & Fruit Brigade on the opening of this location. "As Food Banks, we desperately need structural donors like Hessing. They recognize that fruits and vegetables, rather than being wasted, have tremendous social value as food for people in poverty.
Healthy products are the core business of the fruit and vegetable sector. The positive effects of these products on Food Bank clients are great. For example, we as Food Bank Venlo have proven with the project The Healthy Bag that with a healthy offer, advice, recipes and tastings, clients of the Food Bank will structurally take more fruits and vegetables." This Healthy Bag was presented to the presidents of all the Food Banks in the region who were present at the opening.