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QS-Report:Fruit, Vegetables, Potatoes | issue September/2017 2
On the island of Reichenau, vegetable growing has roots going
back centuries. As the most southerly growing area in Germany,
right in the middle of Lake Constance, the island offers optimal
conditions for high yield production. True to the motto “Fresh
daily from the island of vegetables” Reichenau-Gemüse eG has
been delivering safe and sustainably produced vegetables to
regional customers for over 50 years.
The local family farms traditionally form the basis of vegetable
cultivation on the island. Domestic producers came together
in 1956 to form their own cooperative – Reichenau-Gemüse
eG. Meanwhile, 75 companies produce vegetables for food
retailers, as well as for farmer‘s markets and restaurants in
Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria – all spread over a total
of 152 hectares in both greenhouses and in open fields. In
addition, the company stocks a year-round supply of fruit
and vegetables from around the world for its customers.
Reichenau-Gemüse eG
High-quality, safe vegetables from Lake Constance
Coordinated for greater food safety
International QS presence
Information events outside Germany planned
Active consumer protection through QS
The Reichenau-Gemüse eG has very high
standards with regard to the quality and
safety of its produce. Their producers
operate according to the requirements of
QS, IFS, EU-BIO and Bioland standards,
as well as its own “Reichenau quality
assurance system”. The producers’ co-
operative has been a staunch QS scheme
participant since 2011. “Participation
in the QS scheme makes an important
contribution to the active consumer pro-
tection”, explains deputy CEO Christian
Müller. “Through the implementation of
the strict QS requirements at all stages of
the supply chain, the final consumer can
buyQS certifiedproductswitha completely
clear conscience.” Mr. Müller also sees
advantages for his own company, “the
steady work developing the specifications
for participation in the QS scheme helps
us with our internal processes. For
example, QS residue monitoring supports
the processes of our own residue checks
which we carry out in addition.”
High standards in terms of sustainability
From production through to the transport
to the consumer – sustainability is a top
priority at Reichenau-Gemüse. In addition to
energy obtained from biogas, eco-electricity
is generated using hydro energy, as well as
from the company’s own photovoltaic solar
plant. A roughly 60 km long irrigation net-
work, supplies all areas with pumped water
from Lake Constance. “Short transport routes
and state of the art refrigerated vehicles
make an important contribution to climate
protection”, explains Müller.
duplicate auditing as well as to maintain the internationally high
level of quality, QShas cooperation agreements for fruit, vegetables
and potatoes with three international standard owners (see page 1,
fig. 1). Care is of course taken in all agreements that the principle of
cross-stage quality assurance is complied with. Participation in the
QS Residue Monitoring Programme is obligatory for all companies.
Southern Europe and the Benelux countries
are major exporting countries for fresh fruit
and vegetables. More and more companies
from Spain, Italy and the Netherlands are
choosing to participate in the QS scheme.
By doing so, customer relationships can
be consolidated, new clients acquired and
sales markets therefore secured. Careful
integration into the scheme is important here
to ensure consistent levels of international
quality assurance. QS is currently expanding
the support especially for coordinators,
auditors and certification bodies abroad.
To be able to provide fruit and vegetables
all year round bearing the QS certification
mark, certified imported goods are
increasingly becoming the focus of food
retail trade interests. Around 950 Spanish,
350 Italian and 900 Dutch companies
are now participating in the QS scheme
for Fruit, Vegetables and Potatoes and
provide certified goods to the German food
retail sector. Due to the high demand for
QS certified products, it is necessary to
illustrate the services of the QS scheme as
well as the possibilities offered via scheme
participation for these companies on site.
In addition to holding information events,
it is planned to place direct contacts in the
respective countries to help facilitate the
integration.
Information event in Madrid
In the coming months, information events will be held in Spain,
Italy and the Netherlands. Wholesalers, certification bodies,
coordinators and logistics companies already participating in
the QS scheme and companies wishing to participate are all
invited. Interactive workshops will discuss cross-stage quality
assurance, implementation of residue monitoring, or use of the
QS database. The events will be held in Spanish or English. The
prelude to this will be an information event in Madrid on October
17, 2017. In the Netherlands, an event is planned for November
21 and 22, 2017 in Zoetermeer.
A-NET: strengthening joint cooperation
In 2011, the European platform for Fruit, Vegetables and Potatoes (A-NET) was
founded at the Fruit Logistica. The aim of the network is to facilitate exchange regarding
current issues of food safety, as well as further development of and cooperation
between the various standards. Standard owners from Switzerland (SwissGAP), the
Netherlands (Productschap), Austria (AMA-Marketing GesmbH), Germany (QS), United
Kingdom (Red Tractor) and Belgium (Vegaplan) are currently members of the platform.
Interested parties can register using the following links:
Spain:
Netherlands: