Colruyt Group is entering into an innovative cooperation with Belgian grower Tomeco to offer a limited volume of Belgian Charentais melons earlier in the season, which means the supply of these very tasty melons is extended for customers. The cooperation with Tomeco includes the sustainable vertical cultivation of Belgian Charentais melons and fits into Colruyt Group's ambition to purchase as many sustainably grown products in Belgium as possible. These Belgian Charentais melons are now available in a limited number of Spar Colruyt Group and Colruyt stores in the northern Antwerp/Hoogstraten region.
New cooperation with Belgian grower Tomeco
As a Belgian retailer, Colruyt Group remains fully committed to presenting more Belgian products on the shelves. The retail group wants to take a pioneering role in innovative local crops and actively support Belgian growers who take the plunge. After a successful test last year with outdoor grower Reweghs, affiliated to the Belorta BV auction, Colruyt Group is now entering into a direct cooperation with Belgian grower Tomeco, part of and cultivating for the Hoogstraten cooperative, for a test project to extend the season of sustainably grown Charentais melons in Belgium. "This cooperation is fully in line with our ambition to source sustainably grown products in Belgium, where possible. Together with Tomeco we will test whether a vertical cultivation of Charentais melons in greenhouses in Belgium is possible and scalable," says Olivier D'Haenens, buyer responsible for procuring Charentais melons at Colruyt Group.
Sustainable vertical cultivation
Tomeco's cultivation of Belgian Charentais melons is a fine example of sustainable innovation. "The plants grow vertically instead of horizontally in a heated greenhouse and are tied up instead of sprouting on the ground, saving space," she says. “Peat, the traditional soil conditioner, is replaced by compost and efforts are made to use water efficiently. Thanks to rainwater recovery near the plant, water use is much lower than for imported Charentais melons. This innovative way of growing allows the season to start a little earlier and presumably end a little later," explains Astrid Sneyders of Tomeco.
Belgian sourcing also offers the opportunity to bring down food miles and reduce food losses by minimising time on transport. These melons can be recognised by the Belgian flag on the label which also contains a QR code with more info on the grower.
Belgian Charentais melons, an added value for customers
Tomeco's Belgian Charentais melons certainly don't have to be inferior to the French version from the south. The melons are deliciously sweet and juicy and can ripen longer on the plant. "By investing in Belgian crops, the melons' season can be extended in Belgium and therefore offered for longer on our shelves. A true added value for the customer," Olivier D'Haenens concludes.
The large sizes of Tomeco/cooperative Hoogstraten's Belgian Charentais melons have been available since mid-June in a limited number of Colruyt Lowest Prices stores in the northern Antwerp/Hoogstraten region. These are the Colruyt stores in Kalmthout, Hoogstraten, Vosselaar, Schoten, Oud Turnhout, Brasschaat, Zoersel, Westmalle, Herentals, Geel, Bouwel, Mol and Wommelgem. The smaller sizes are offered to the independent storekeepers of Spar Colruyt Group. By tailoring the distribution of the different sizes to the customer, we also maximise sales for the growers. From mid-July, outdoor cultivation of Belgian Charentais melons from grower Reweghs, affiliated to the Belorta BV auction, will also start. From then on, Belgian Charentais melons will be available in about 300 Colruyt Lowest Prices and Okay stores.
