‘When growing and supplying fresh vegetables, the importance of up-to-date data is evident,’ says Jelle Opschoor, Programme Manager Sustainability at Growers United. ‘This not only refers to the additional information on packaging or in the fruit and vegetable department, but also our licence-to-deliver data to guarantee food safety.’
‘Additionally, the criteria to obtain certain certification are becoming increasingly strict, where presenting up-to-date data plays an important role. It goes without saying that securing and storing data correctly is a time-consuming process, but Growers United mainly spots opportunities.’ Curious to know which ones?
Additional product information crucial in determining value
How do you determine the value of a pepper or a tomato? In other words, how much are shoppers willing to pay for their vegetables? ‘To understand the value of vegetables, sharing additional information is crucial,’ Jelle explains. ‘For example, the variant, cultivation method, crop treatment, and whether it involves a regular or organically grown product. Production data is crucial when determining value. As not only initial appearance, but adequate information is a decisive factor in the purchasing process.’
Licence-to-deliver data to guarantee food safety
‘Om AGF-producten te mogen leveren, verzamelt Growers United zogeheten licence-to-deliver data,’ vertelt Jelle. ‘Voor de borging van voedselveiligheid wordt er van ons verwacht dat we dagelijks vastleggen welke producten we gebruiken; vanaf het moment dat we een klein zaadje in handen hebben tot het AGF-product dat we verpakken. Door adequate tracking & tracing in de verschillende stadia van het productieproces, zorgen we voor gezonde en veilige AGF-producten in de schappen.’
‘In order to deliver our vegetables, Growers United collects so-called licence-to-deliver data ,’ says Jelle. ‘To guarantee food safety, we are expected to record which products we use on a daily basis; from the moment we plant a little seed to the final product in our packaging. Through adequate tracking and tracing in the various stages of the production process, we can guarantee healthy and safe vegetable products on the shelves.’
Increasing amount of data and insingly strict criteria
‘In addition, our data has to meet the criteria of (sustainable) certifications like GLOBALG.A.P and Planet Proof. Our production data needs to be audible for the controller of the certification body as well as for our clients,’ says Jelle. ‘The criteria to obtain certain certification are becoming increasingly strict and the amount of data we need to record also increases.’
‘To meet the requirements, we need to act fast. For example, when it comes to crop protection agents, Growers United is required to record relevant data within a day, using the applications to instantly present possible Maximum Residue Limits (MRL’s) on expected yields as a cooperation.’
Growers United at the forefront concerning data and sustainability
‘At Growers United, sustainability is a key factor in the production process,’ says Jelle. ‘Since 019, we have been consequently entering the production data of our growers into the HortiFootprint. For each grower and crop, we can calculate the environmental impact in 16 impact categories – including the CO2 emission – of every kilogram cultivated product. We then translate this data to key figures, which we continuously monitor.’
‘This is equally important for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), a European guideline that our clients need to follow in the near future. They are required to report their impact on humans and climate, of themselves and their value chain. Therfore, the up-to-date growing data collected and recorded by Growers United remains relevant to them too.’
Adequate data processing provides opportunities
‘It goes without saying that the increasing demand for these various types of data can be a challenge. But Growers United mainly spots opportunities when it comes to data recording and use. Think of executing (production) processes faster and more efficient, where new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used. In doing so, it is important to record data in standardised manner, so it can be interchanged, machine-to-machine. In a world where data is becoming increasingly valuable, the options for (adequate) data use are endless.’
Growers United recognises the added value of up-to-date data in its processes. Curious how we can use data for new concepts and fruit and vegetable products? Check de website van Growers United voor meer informatie or contact us, via jelle.opschoor@growersunited.nl, Programme Manager Sustainability, or +31 (0)174 238 000.