We are green by nature
We harvest nature’s finest gifts with the utmost care. We are ‘REAL green’ and our guiding principle is: sustainable from farm to fork.
We’re committed to green!
Sustainable choices at every step of the supply chain: from farm to fork
The right care for our herbs is at the heart of everything we do. From selecting the land we harvest from, to the packaging we use and the way we treat one another – we make sustainable choices.
Sustainable cultivation
Sustainable cultivation
Sustainability is at the heart of our cultivation process. Improving biodiversity is one of the ways we put this into practice.
Mindfully packaged
Mindfully packaged
We use plastic packaging to protect our delicate herbs and to maximise their shelf life.
Enjoy healthily, without waste
Enjoy healthily, without waste
By offering a range of packaging sizes, we align the quantity of herbs with demand, helping to eliminate waste.
REAL Green Impact
We prioritise sustainability. It’s not just a goal, but a key part of our vision and strategy. While we’re not there yet, we’re committed to making continuous progress towards becoming more sustainable every day. Here are some of the milestones we’ve already achieved:
620 kg
of herbs given a second life
58 %
less plastic used by transitioning from containers to bags
20 %
ess plastic used by reducing the thickness of our packaging film
0.0 %
emissions at a local grower with a ‘Net Positive’ mission
Sustainable cultivation
Growing under the best conditions for people, animals and the environment
Local cultivation
Read more about the origin of our herbsOur herbs are grown year-round as locally as possible to cut down on food miles. We experiment with innovative growing methods close to home to reduce the risks posed by climate change and to cut down on food miles.
Certified
Read more about our certificationsWe are committed to sustainable agricultural practices that work in harmony with our planet’s capacity. All our herbs are Global GAP certified, and we hold certifications from Planet Proof, IFS and CQS. .
Biodiversity
Herbs are a vital part of nature. In our cultivation process, we actively promote biodiversity to help support Mother Nature. We plant flower strips alongside our herb fields and install insect hotels, in order to bring about a positive change to counteract the loss of biodiversity
We comply with the industry’s leading certifications
Mindfully packaged
Sustainable protection of our herbs
Combatting food waste
We use plastic packaging to protect our delicate herbs and to maximise their shelf life, helping to reduce food waste.
Recyclable plastic & as little as possible
Our goal is to minimise plastic usage. We therefore use minimal packaging and reduce the thickness of our films where feasible. Our labels are made from mono-material, ensuring that the packaging and label are recyclable.
Second life
The by-products from the production process are given a second life. We collaborate with various partners to ensure these by-products are repurposed.
Alternatives to plastic
We closely monitor developments in packaging materials and work with our quality team to explore alternatives to plastic. Our aim is to be as sustainable as possible, balancing optimal shelf life of our herbs with being kind to the environment.
“Creating a positive environmental impact energises me”
Our focus on sustainable herb production goes beyond supplying seasonings that are naturally green. We are committed to protecting the Earth, so that future generations can continue to enjoy what nature offers. Sustainability consists of many different aspects, which sometimes conflict with each other. I am the sustainable conscience of Vitacress Real.
My favourite herb is mint: it grows quickly, has a low pesticide requirement, thrives in various climate zones and needs very little water. I enjoy a cup of fresh mint tea every day …mmm!
Alana Rutten
Product management & Sustainability
Healthy, waste-free enjoyment
Fresh herbs, a green choice!
Green & healthy
Fresh herbs are packed with healthy nutrients, such as vitamins, fibres and minerals.
Natural salt alternatives
Our herbs are completely natural and bursting with flavour, eliminating the need for salt or other additives. Try chives on egg instead of salt. Or use lovage, also known as the maggi plant, as a flavourful base for stock.
Zero waste in the kitchen
Our herbs are available in all sizes: from a portion pack to large bunches, allowing customers to choose the perfect amount and ensuring that no herbs go to waste.
We Grow, We Care, We Inspire & We Smile
Our people are our priority
We believe in ‘happy people = happy business’. Our team of herbies make a difference for our customers every day and, as an employer, we’re dedicated to making a difference for them. Our priority is to create an environment in which everyone feels at home from day one and have ample opportunities to grow. As our name suggests, vitality is at the core of everything we do at Vitacress Real. Whether it’s working out in our VitaGym, enjoying fresh soup every day, having fresh fruit on tap, and of course an abundance of fresh herbal tea.
Creating an impact together
We believe that together we have the power to create a bigger impact than going it alone. That’s why we partner with like-minded organisations to make a REAL impact.
We are proud to support Vitacress UK’s sustainability programme Second Nature. The programme aims to achieve net zero by 2040 and focuses on reducing emissions, plastic and waste whilst promoting biodiversity.
Children are the future, which is why we want to introduce this generation to our super-healthy herbs. With input from the Kokkerelli children’s panel, we’ve therefore created an educational book to take children on an educational journey through the wonderful world of fresh herbs. The result is a fun and interactive book for children aged 4-8 years.
#WeCare also means being involved locally. In partnership with Venlo Schoon, our herbies clean the banks of the Maas River once a year, ensuring that birds can begin their breeding season safely.
We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy fresh herbs, especially at Christmastime when togetherness and good food are at the heart of the celebrations. Since this is not a given for everyone, every year we donate fresh herb butter packages to Food Bank Venlo.
Vitacress UK
Kokkerelli
Venlo Schoon
Food Bank Venlo