Horticulture and sustainability are strongly connected. We operate in an energy intensive sector and depend on natural resources such as clean water. We take our responsibility by committing ourselves to sustainability in many areas. Examples include the geothermal heat project, organic growing, paying the right attention to our employees and preventing water and food waste. In Portugal, we have cogeneration units (CHPs) with which we achieve optimal use of residual heat, electricity and CO2 .
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Socially responsible growers
Quality assurance
We are constantly and deliberately working on optimising our processes. Our work method is laid down in manuals and certified. This gives structural attention to topics such as food safety and sustainability in growing and packaging of our products. Our processes are subject to regular audits to ensure that they continue to comply with applicable standards, and we always strive to identify areas for improvement.
We possess a number of certifications, including:
- Global GAP
- Planetproof
- BRC
- Grasp
- IFS Food
- Albert Heijn Protocol
- Waitrose Farm Assessment
- SMETA
- LEAF
- M&S Field to Fork
Biological crop protection
Biological cultivation is second nature to us. We use natural enemies to help fight disease and pests. Our crop protection employee is continuously on the lookout for the right balance so that we can cultivate a clean, healthy product and ensure that our peppers satisfy the most stringent standards.
An engaged employer
Our employees know us as an engaged employer. Our relatively small and flat organizational structure means that we can give extra attention to everyone in our team. Anyone with talent and ambition will be given the freedom to grow. We provide favourable working conditions in which safety is of paramount importance.
Geothermal heat, CO2 and sun
The heat we need for our operations in Honselersdijk is sourced from the ground in the form of geothermal heat. Together with other growers, Frestia participates in the Vogelaer Aardwarmte (Vogelaer geothermal heat) geothermal energy project. Participation in the project has led to a 70% reduction in fossil fuel consumption on our site alone, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of 1,500 homes.
In addition to heat, our plants also need light, nutrients, and CO2 to grow. We obtain our CO2 as a by-product from the Shell refinery in Pernis. As a result our greenhouses are, on balance, consumers of CO2 for part of the year.
The company in Honselersdijk is equipped with solar panels that make the company 35% self-sufficient in electricity.
