Discover how we are working towards future-proof salads cultivation.
Sustainable ambitions
At Harvest House, we work every day towards future-proof salads cultivation.
Sustainability is in everything we do. We cultivate with as little impact on the environment as possible, and we are committed to healthy people and strong entrepreneurship. Our three pillars – planet, people and entrepreneurship – form the foundation of our sustainability vision.
The changing world of salads
The world is changing. Climate change, water scarcity and biodiversity loss are making the cultivation of vegetables increasingly complex. Our sector is under public scrutiny, but we are convinced that greenhouse horticulture is of great value.
At Harvest House, we believe that cooperation and innovation are the key to future-proof food production, but we still face a number of challenges. We are joining forces across the chain and working on solutions that really make a difference.
Read our Sustainability Report
In our Sustainability Report 2024, we show where we stand, where we need to improve and we are transparent about our approach.
Healthy planet: our approach
We are working towards a healthy planet by taking a smart approach to climate, nature and resources.
Because sustainability starts with insight, we measure our environmental impact using the FreshProduce PEFCR. This is a standardised LCA method that provides insight into the ecological footprint of our salads. Since 2020, we have used this to make the sustainability data of all our salad growers transparent, to measure progress, to test reduction plans and to forecast future scenarios.
This means we steer by facts, not feelings.
Climate-neutral cultivation
Climate change is our biggest challenge and goal. Harvest House aligns with the ambition of Glastuinbouw Nederland: climate-neutral cultivation by 2040. We have concrete reduction plans to achieve this.
We invest in ways to use energy more efficiently such as LED lighting, energy screens and dehumidifiers. We also focus on sustainable energy sources, such as geothermal heat, biomass and residual heat. Step by step, we are working towards future-proof greenhouse horticulture.
We are constantly looking for ways to use energy more intelligently and more sustainably. In the ideal greenhouse of the future, we combine different sustainable energy sources, such as geothermal energy, biomass, residual heat and hydrogen.
We are making our electricity consumption more sustainable. By switching to LED lighting, we save over 30% CO₂ (eq) per kg of product compared with traditional lighting.
We use energy as efficiently as possible. With an air handling unit (AHU), we keep windows closed and dehumidify the air without heat loss. This saves energy and maintains a healthy greenhouse climate.
Plant health
Working towards resilient cultivation
At Harvest House, we have consciously focused on integrated crop protection for years: strong varieties, rigorous scouting in the greenhouse, and as many natural enemies and green products as possible. We see synthetic products as the last step, used as little as possible. This keeps us well below the standards.
At the same time, legal frameworks are tightening and we need to cultivate even more sustainably. The transition to fully green cultivation takes time and innovation. We invest in technology, data and knowledge sharing to make it happen.
"Data and technology are more accurate than the human eye. An autonomous cart with a camera helps us in scouting. We analyse the data with the help of AI. This way, we can get pests under control faster."
Thimo van Marrewijk
Rainbow Growers Group
"We have partially switched to organic growing mats with coconut fibres. This helps us tackle persistent root problems in our bell pepper cultivation."
Wilbert van den Bosch
Peppers Unlimited
"Thanks to the 100% Green Grown project, we can invest together in finding solutions. We are testing banker plants and a different type of substrate to make our cultivation more sustainable."
Marc Zuidgeest
Frestia
Reducing waste
At Harvest House, we work hard to reduce food waste. We match supply and demand as precisely to prevent overproduction. We also minimise waste streams by working closely together in the chain. Our goal is to give all our products a good destination. Including tomatoes that are overripe or bell peppers with a different shape.
Snijpunt
At Snijpunt, we cut fresh vegetables to size. Vegetables that do not make it to the shelves because of their shape or colour, but are still top quality, we cut into pieces. This means our partners can use them in meals.
Food Fellows
At Food Fellows, we make flavourful products from tomatoes and bell peppers that just don't make it to the shelf. We give tomatoes and bell peppers with a different colour or shape or damage a good use in flavourful sauces and soups.
Social and engaged across the chain
With our healthy products, we contribute to a healthier Europe. We take good care of people within our company and across the chain.
We believe it is important that the people directly involved with Harvest House work under good working conditions. Employees at the cultivation businesses can also count on good working conditions.
Care for our colleagues
We believe it is important that everyone within Harvest House feels comfortable and can work well. Our work culture is connected, professional and entrepreneurial. Together, we create a healthy and pleasant working environment.
Working together
We help each other, share knowledge and work together. Because together, we achieve more.
Personal development
We speak with every employee on growth and development.
Engagement
We organise employee meetings to share information and results. We also offer inspiration sessions through our Thinking and Doing programme.
Health
In our canteen, you will find a healthy lunch and fresh fruit every day. You also receive fresh salads to take home every week.
Social
involvement
At Harvest House, we are committed to a healthy world. We sponsor initiatives that fit this mission. In this way, we make impact together.
Freshriders: cycling together for a healthier life
A special initiative is the Freshride: a 200 km cycle ride for charity, organised by driven employees and growers of Harvest House. The Freshride brings together participants from across the AGF sector to promote health and exercise.
Our role
Collaboration within the sector
How do we continue to cultivate optimally while meeting tomorrow's demands? At Harvest House, we keep a sharp focus on our cultivation, the wider chain and our role in society.
The challenges in greenhouse horticulture affect not only us, but the entire sector. That is why we actively seek collaboration. Together with our growers, the FVO (Federation of Salads Organisations) and other chain partners in high-tech greenhouse horticulture, we share knowledge and innovations. In this way, we work together on solutions that secure our food production for the future.
"Connection within the sector is incredibly important. The entire cluster faces the same challenges. It is far wiser to work together on solutions. We are more like-minded than you might think."
Jelte van Kammen
CEO Harvest House
Continuous innovation
Within our cooperative, we tackle innovation together. By investing together, we share not only the costs, but also the knowledge and successes.
Joint approach
Our growers compare their approaches and share knowledge. This means we learn from each other and solve challenges together, such as water treatment, plant health and crop protection.
Smarter cultivation and chain
Since 2022, we have used artificial intelligence (AI) to manage our greenhouses even better. Together with suppliers, we develop technology that supports the management of climate, irrigation and plant health. This leads to more efficient cultivation and higher, consistent yields.
We combine real-time harvest data and BI dashboards to respond more quickly and accurately to market demand. Digital access to forecast data makes the chain smarter and more flexible.
The First Sustainable Generation
We are proud to be part of The First Sustainable Generation. Together, we are building a hopeful, sustainable future.
Sustainability has multiple tracks. Organic, local, and high-tech: together they are pulling the world in the same positive direction. Our greenhouse horticulture fits well within this and deserves a place in the sustainability debate.
Thanks to innovation, we can produce more with fewer resources: less energy, water and space, with room for nature. At the same time, we are transparent about our impact on the environment and work every day on reduction. In this way, prosperity and sustainability reinforce each other. And we also provide healthy food for millions of people.
The First Sustainable Generation is a hopeful story explaining this vision.