Most people prefer sustainable products.With the Nature Counts label, The Greenery presents growers that have achieved the most distinctive standards of sustainability.
Freedom for innovation
Good ideas often originate at the location where they can be put into practice. Accordingly, Nature Counts does not insist on any specific methods, but gives growers the freedom to define their own policies for sustainability. Entrepreneurs have maximum leeway to find practical solutions. A few examples include:
- Restricted use of crop protection products
- Saving energy consumption
- More efficient logistics
- Reuse of waste materials
Support from The Greenery
When the growers are developing their plans, they can call on The Greenery for assistance if needed. We support them with knowledge about food safety, market trends and subsidy application processes.
No distinction between growers
Nature Counts makes no distinction between growers. Both traditional and organic products are eligible to be considered for the label. The defining factor is that growers must make an exceptional effort to improve the sustainability of their business.
The selection procedure
Growers who are working on sustainability submit their project to Nature Counts – or are nominated by third parties. Each year, an independent jury selects the front-runners from among all the applications. The selected growers are entitled to use the Nature Counts label for three years. After that period, they go through the same selection procedure again, along with all the new applications from that round. This ensures that Nature Counts is always reserved for the very best.
Nature Counts starts in 2010
An independent jury will select the first growers for the Nature Counts label in 2010. Read about all the growers and their projects on the website. Meet the growers.
Panel members
Leaders in sustainability are selected every year by a panel made upof academics and experts in the sector. Meet the panel members.
Klaas van den Doel Klaas van der Doel is on the board of many organisations for sustainable enterprise, including S...
Peter Vermeulen Peter Vermeulen has been a business management researcher at Wageningen University & Research Ce...
Philip Smits Philip Smits has been the managing director of The Greenery since 2006. In an era marked by chan...
Stephan PetersVoedingscentrum Dr Stephan Peters is a knowledgable specialist in food safety and quality at the Netherlands Nut...
Suzanne van der Pijll Suzanne van de Pijl is assistant director at Schuttelaar & Partners, a communication consultancy...
Theo Ammerlaan Theo Ammerlaan is a founder and partner in the Themato growers’ company, which excels at susta...
Willem Baljeu Since 2001, Willem Baljeu has been the managing director of Frugi Venta, the fruit and vegetable...
