The Van Rossum family has been involved in chicory cultivation for generations. It all started with great-grandfather Kommer, who grew chicory in open soil at the time. His grandson Ko continued the business and introduced a modern approach using hydroponic cultivation. Together with his brother Pedro, he further expanded the company into an innovative nursery. Today, Luuk is also actively involved in the family business, where tradition and technology come together naturally.
The family works with modern installations: climate control systems, automated water supply, and energy-saving technologies. The large storage buildings are equipped with no fewer than 3,000 solar panels. Yet, it remains people’s work. A lot can be automated, but the simple manual work will always remain essential.
The company now employs 25 people — a close-knit team of permanent staff and seasonal workers. It truly is a joint effort. Ko is responsible for cultivation and personnel. Pedro handles the contracts and the roots. Luuk manages the cold storage facilities and also supervises the staff.
Tradition only has value when it is nurtured. And the Van Rossum family does exactly that every day, from the break of dawn until the sun disappears into the North Sea.
The decision to join Tolpoort Vegetables came from the desire for greater transparency and stronger collective sales power.
