Nederlands
For over 13 years, René Tielemans and Hutten have been working together. “Since 2011,” says the horticultural entrepreneur. “In recent years, we’ve expanded significantly. We now have 30 hectares spread across six locations. Since 1 January 2024, we’ve continued under the name Fresh Valley.” Tielemans supplies Hutten with the most sustainably grown truss cherry tomatoes, the Juanita variety, which is sold under Hutten’s own brand, l’Amuse.
Under the Fresh Valley banner, another familiar name to Hutten appears: Bert van den Brand. The Van den Brand and Tielemans families have been working together in tomato cultivation since 1999. “We used to alternate,” says Tielemans. “Bert handled spring and summer production, and we took care of the period from October to January. Since 2022, Bert has shifted focus to strawberry cultivation in Uden and Maasbree, while the other locations concentrate on tomatoes and cucumbers. Last year, snack cucumbers were added, followed later by mini and midi cucumbers. This filled a gap in the market. We are now the largest mini cucumber grower in the Netherlands with 17 direct buyers – not just from the Netherlands, but also Belgium, Germany, the UK, and Sweden. The snack cucumber market is growing rapidly, especially in retail. For the foodservice sector, however, it's not yet a common product. You wouldn’t slice a mini cucumber for a salad — they’re too expensive for that.”
Still, Hutten’s buyer Rens Faes sees potential: “Many companies already provide free fruit for their employees. In terms of vitality and health, I can imagine snack vegetables becoming part of that in the future. It’s definitely worth exploring.”
14 tomatoes per truss
Back to the truss cherry tomatoes. Behind these small, flavour-packed red gems lies a big sustainability story. The tomatoes are grown in greenhouses. Mesh screens form the first barrier against unwanted intruders such as spider mites and moths. Bumblebees ensure natural pollination, and staff monitor insect populations weekly to assess pest control effectiveness. The greenhouse water supply comes from rainwater collected from the roof. Tielemans explains: “We can collect up to 22,000 cubic metres of water per year, which is roughly what we use. Watering and climate control in the greenhouse are fully automated, all focused on stability and quality. Every truss contains exactly 14 tomatoes, so each fruit absorbs the same amount of water.”
“The four CHP engines generate electricity for over 12,000 households”
Electricity surplus
The greenhouses are lit with LED lights and have been heated with combined heat and power (CHP) systems since 2006, allowing lighting at night. The CO₂ produced during heating is redirected back into the greenhouse, where it is absorbed by the plants. Tielemans also uses solar panels to power, among other things, the cooling systems. The four CHP engines can produce enough electricity for over 12,000 households. However, due to the current grid congestion and the solar panels, the CHP system sometimes has to be shut down when too much energy is generated and cannot be fed back into the grid. “Unfortunately, batteries large enough to store the electricity we generate don’t yet exist. Because we need a continuous power supply all year round, using a heat pump is not yet a viable option either.”
Social sustainability
Like many Dutch greenhouse businesses, Fresh Valley employs a significant number of international workers. “We have our own recruiter who interviews candidates in countries like Poland and Romania. This reduces staff turnover because people know what to expect in terms of the work and the location. Once they arrive in the Netherlands, we place great importance on their living conditions. We own 15 houses so that everyone has enough privacy. We also collaborate with care farm MeMo, where we offer daytime activities such as sweeping, collecting paper, or other light support tasks.”
In the ‘Sustainable Achievers’ series, Hutten visits and speaks with our suppliers about our shared sustainability goals. Read more stories on our website.
