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Sustainability
We try to contribute to a better world. We do this by trying to operate as sustainably as possible. Curious how we do this? Keep on reading!
Mild processing and production technologies
For the raw material of our ingredients, we use quinoa grown by our group of experienced quinoa growers. Some have even grown quinoa since the start of the quinoa cultivation in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2014. In this group are both conventional and organic growers. However, even our conventional growers don’t use pesticides and inorganic fertilisers in the cultivation. This is a perfect example of the commitment of our quinoa growers to natural farming practices ensuring the quality of our products and allowing nature-friendly cultivation.
For the production of our quinoa ingredients, we use sustainable and mild processing techniques to retain the natural occurring nutritional and functional properties of the quinoa. This ensures the high quality of our products.
Sustainable processing
After harvesting, the seeds are thoroughly cleaned using advanced equipment, minimizing waste while maintaining high quality. The remaining plant residues and weed seeds are repurposed through fermentation to generate bioenergy, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
Additionally, trials are underway to explore the use of crop residues as animal feed, with the resulting manure being returned to the fields, further promoting circular agriculture.
Future proof crop
Due to climate change, cultivating staple crops is becoming increasingly difficult in certain regions. Quinoa offers a sustainable alternative as it is well-suited to challenging environmental conditions such as drought and saline soils. This crop provides growers with a new option, particularly in areas affected by salinization and drought, like the Dutch and Belgian North Sea coast. It supports the livelihood of farmers and enhances agricultural resilience. Moreover, quinoa plants require little water during the summer period, which is a huge advantage with the ongoing climate change and rising temperatures. Quinoa thus fits in climate change adaptation strategies, by diversifying crops so that they are better able to adapt to changing climates.
Respect for people and nature
Our dedicated growers work tirelessly to cultivate quinoa sustainably, with deep respect for nature. They grow quinoa without the use of pesticides or inorganic fertilizers, using only GMO-free varieties and practicing regenerative agriculture whenever possible. The extensive root system of the quinoa plant enhances soil structure, and when harvested, the seeds are removed while the plant remains are left on the field, boosting soil fertility.
Currently, most of the quinoa cultivated by our growers is organic. In 2020, the European Union introduced the EU Green Deal to make Europe more sustainable by 2030, including a focus on increasing organic farming. The predominance of organic quinoa cultivation in the Netherlands aligns perfectly with these goals.
Our growers also receive fair prices for their quinoa, supporting their livelihoods. In addition to contributing to the EU Green Deal, our practices support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing our commitment to both people and the planet.
Supported by GreenFood50
Interested in our quinoa products?
Linda de Koning
R&D Manager