Zoeken

Sustainability

We’re committed to making the world a better place by operating as sustainably as possible. Want to know how? Keep reading!

Resilient farming

Sustainable Cultivation

At the heart of our quinoa production lies a deep commitment to sustainability. Most of our quinoa is grown organically, aligning with the principles of the EU Green Deal which aims to increase organic farming. We exclusively use non-GMO varieties and prioritise local cultivation to reduce our environmental footprint.

Our dedicated quinoa growers practice regenerative and nature-inclusive agriculture, working tirelessly to protect and enhance the land for future generations. By restoring soil health, promoting biodiversity, and strengthening ecosystem resilience, they ensure that every harvest supports a healthier planet.

 

Resilient farming

How we cultivate sustainably

No pesticides: Even our conventional growers refrain from using pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. This protects water resources, wildlife, and beneficial insects like ladybugs, which serve as natural pest controllers.

Soil-Friendly Crop: Quinoa is a low-intensity crop, meaning it has a minimal impact on the soil, and even improves the soil by:

  1. Enriching the Soil: After harvest, we leave plant residues—such as stems and leaves—on the field to increase organic matter, which improves soil fertility and enhances biodiversity.
  2. Improving soil structure: The extensive root systems of quinoa plants help improve the structure of the soil.
  3. Cover Crops & Crop Rotation: We plant cover crops to prevent soil erosion and naturally enrich the soil while rotating crops to maintain long-term soil health.

These sustainable practices reflect our growers’ dedication to natural farming, ensuring high-quality quinoa while preserving the environment.

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 a resilient crop that can withstand challenging environments like drought-prone and saline soils.

Quinoa plants flourish in warm, dry summers, require little water during the summer period and tolerate saline soils, which is a huge advantage with the ongoing climate change and rising temperatures. This provides farmers with a sustainable crop option in areas where salinization and drought threaten traditional agriculture, such as parts of the Dutch and Belgian North Sea coast.

By adding quinoa to crop rotations, farmers can better adapt to climate change and make their fields more resilient. Quinoa gives them a sustainable and profitable alternative, helping farmers maintain their livelihoods while supporting a healthy ecosystem.

Responsible processing

Sustainable processing

We prioritize eco-friendly, low-impact processing methods to preserve quinoa’s natural qualities and minimize environmental impact by:

Less processing
The new quinoa varieties we use are low-saponin. Because of this, we can skip the energy-intensive desaponising processing steps, such as polishing, washing, and drying. This allows us to use only mild and dry mechanical processing steps, which saves on water and energy.
Solar energy
We are increasingly incorporating solar power for drying and processing.
No additives
We don’t add any additives or preservatives to our quinoa. 
Zero waste
Plant residues and weed seeds are repurposed through fermentation for bioenergy production, and trials are also underway to use crop residues as animal feed, ensuring nothing goes to waste and promoting circular agriculture.
Local processing
By growing quinoa close to our processing facilities, we significantly reduce transport emissions.

Fair trade

Respect for people and nature

Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond environmental responsibility, embracing fair and ethical business practices. We try to make a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and global food security by:

Crop Diversification
By introducing quinoa as a new crop alternative, we give local farmers new options and promote agricultural variety.
Fair Pricing
We ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their quinoa, supporting their livelihoods and financial stability.
Local Production
By growing and processing quinoa locally, we directly support the livelihoods of farmers and workers
SEDEX
We are SEDEX registered, reinforcing our commitment to ethical and responsible business practices throughout our supply chain.
Sustainable Development Goals
We contribute to global efforts for a healthier planet by prioritizing biodiversity, fair trade, and sustainable agriculture.

Supported by GreenFood50

Interested in our quinoa products?

Linda de Koning

R&D Manager

Get in touch Email Linda