Ardo Champions Regenerative Agriculture Through 'The carrot collective'

A United Effort for Sustainable Farming

Launched on 3rd July in Zundert during Ardo's "Let's Meet in the Field" event, which also focused on regenerative agriculture, this unique partnership across the food value chain highlights the urgent need for a transition to more sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. The critical state of soil health globally demands immediate attention, with the equivalent of one football field of soil lost every five seconds. This project aims to address these challenges by investing in soil health to secure future yields.

Through 'The carrot collective,' approximately 30 hectares of farmland are now being used to trial regenerative agriculture techniques. The first carrots were sown in April 2024, will be frozen by Ardo and transformed into soups by Unilever by October. Additionally, the early-sown carrots for Jumbo are already being harvested and sold as fresh in stores since mid-June.

Tailored Regenerative Agriculture Practices

Given the unique characteristics of each piece of land and farm, a customised approach is essential. The project incorporates various regenerative agriculture practices, such as:

Non-inversion tillage: Minimising soil disturbance by avoiding deep ploughing.
Cover cropping: Planting cover crops to prevent erosion, retain soil moisture, and maintain nutrient levels.
Organic fertilisers and biocontrol agents: Using natural fertilisers and biological pest control to nourish and protect crops.
These practices aim to improve soil health, reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods, optimise water use, and enhance biodiversity.

Ardo's Commitment to Regenerative Agriculture

Emilie Haspeslagh, Ardo’s Sustainability Director, remarked, "At Ardo, we firmly believe that regenerative agriculture practices focused on improving soil health are key to more sustainable food production. Through our collaboration in 'Het Wortel Collectief,' we can implement innovative farming practices on a larger scale and share valuable knowledge. This project is a significant step in our mission to make healthy, sustainable food accessible to all. We are excited to supply frozen carrots, which will later be used in Unilever soups this year."

A Framework for Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture enhances rather than depletes natural resources, contributing to a healthier planet and a more resilient food system. 'Het Wortel Collectief' bases its framework on the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI), measuring the project's impact on biodiversity, soil health, water use, and climate through SAI-platform indicators.

Collaboration Across the Supply Chain

'Het Wortel Collectief' includes various supply chain partners. Through suppliers Agrifirm and Ardo, carrots eventually find their way into Unilever products and Jumbo stores. This intensive collaboration aims to expand knowledge of regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands.

Looking Ahead

As Debora van der Zee, General Manager of Nutrition North Europe at Unilever, stated, "Unilever has long been committed to several regenerative agriculture projects. Through 'Het Wortel Collectief,' we will gain and share valuable insights, helping us scale up these projects and contribute to a future-proof food system."

Ton van den Hoek, Manager of Fresh Produce at Jumbo Supermarkets, added, "Sustainability is integral to our operations. We are proud that our fresh carrots, grown using regenerative agriculture practices, are now available in over 700 Jumbo stores. It’s important for us to learn about the future of crop cultivation, and we are happy to contribute to this effort."

Ardo remains dedicated to its core values of sustainability, innovation, and high-quality produce. By participating in 'Het Wortel Collectief,' Ardo not only supports regenerative agriculture but also reinforces its commitment to providing nutritious, fresh-frozen foods while protecting the environment for future generations.

Learn More About Regenerative Agriculture

To learn more about regenerative agriculture and Ardo's sustainable initiatives, visit our Sustainability Page.