Discover what we add
to a better world
Sustainability within Verstegen
With Verstegen you really add something.
That's not just our motto. It encapsulates everything our family business stands for. We offer the highest quality herbs and spices, so you can create the most delicious dishes. At the same time, we actively contribute to the well-being of people and our planet.
GOOD FOR THE CLIMATE
We're working hard to reduce our climate footprint. We do this by using energy and raw materials efficiently.
SPACE FOR NATURE
We actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of nature by supporting supply chain partners in implementing regenerative agricultural methods. This contributes to a more resilient food system and strengthens biodiversity.
BETTER FOR PEOPLE
We work towards a positive social impact throughout the entire chain, with safe working conditions, fair wages and opportunities for talent development.
GOOD FOR THE CLIMATE
Ambitions 2030:
1. Compared to 2018, a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from buildings, production processes, leased cars, and freight transport.
2. Compared to 2022, a 42% reduction in CO2 emissions from waste, packaging, and purchased ingredients.
3. Minimizing our electricity and water consumption.
SPACE FOR NATURE
Ambitions 2030:
1. 50% of our ingredients are demonstrably sustainably grown from agricultural raw materials.
2. 30% reduction in CO2 emissions offset by 2022.
3. 50% of our historical CO2 emissions offset.
4. Striving for 100% deforestation-free supply chains by 2026.
BETTER FOR PEOPLE
Ambitions 2030:
1. Stakeholders in our upstream agricultural commodity chains demonstrably enjoy good working conditions, a living wage, and freedom from forced (child) labor.
2. 100% of direct employees receive a decent income and broad support for their sustainable employability.
3. Verstegen has an active and inclusive corporate culture in which 100% of employees feel socially safe.
We make our chains
transparent
At Verstegen, we're committed to creating transparent and traceable supply chains, and our nutmeg project is a prime example. Using our Trace platform, we've collaborated with Fairfood to map the entire journey of our nutmeg, from farm to fork. Discover how we made this journey possible and how you can make conscious choices.
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"We don't just want to take from nature, we want to add something. From better wages for farmers to more biodiversity."
Michel Driessen
Owner
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We really add something with regenerative agriculture
At Verstegen, we believe that taste and sustainability go hand in hand. That's why we're committed to regenerative agriculture: a farming method that doesn't deplete nature, but rather restores it. This contributes to a more resilient food system and strengthens biodiversity.
Soil protection plays a key role in this. By using plant residues or ground cover, the soil remains better protected against dehydration and erosion. We also encourage the maintenance of roots in the soil year-round, as these nourish soil life. More and more farmers are adopting this approach, and we actively support this development. In this way, we contribute to the preservation of local biodiversity and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Vanilla from Costa Rica
Together with our Costa Rican partner, we've already planted over 3,000 vanilla plants in regenerative farmland. They grow among trees and other crops. This benefits biodiversity, flavor, and productivity, and therefore also the farmers' income. Furthermore, in collaboration with our supplier, we support them with various training programs.
B-Corp certified
This certification underscores our commitment to high standards in sustainability and social entrepreneurship. We're proud of it! But we also find it perfectly logical.
It's in our nature to want to contribute something. For a healthy world and a good quality of life, for everyone throughout the entire supply chain. So that all the delicious things from our planet can be passed on to future generations with peace of mind.