That's why we work with growers close to home, pay attention to the soil, and take the seasons into account. This way, we can offer vegetables and pulses grown on Dutch soil all year round.
That's why we work with growers close to home, pay attention to the soil, and take the seasons into account. This way, we can offer vegetables and pulses grown on Dutch soil all year round.
Eating vegetables and pulses is known to be good for your health - everyone knows that. They are packed full of vitamins, fibre and plant-based protein. If you opt for plant-based products, you will be contributing to your own health as well as that of the planet. That is because most vegetables and plant-based products have a low impact on the climate.
On average, three quarters of Dutch people eat around 131g of vegetables a day, which is just over half of the daily recommended amount. There’s a lot of work to do when it comes to pulses too, since just 30% of the weekly recommended amount of pulses is eaten. We can do better than that!
We are here to help you eat more vegetables and pulses at as many moments in the day as possible. Difficult? Not at all. You could throw a few green peas into your pasta. Or, how about adding a few French beans in your salad for that extra bite? Why not try chickpeas in your soup? It’s really simple. Pulses are rich in plant-based proteins. They are mother nature’s powerhouses and a great alternative for a meat-free day!
Do you have no idea what to ‘do’ with vegetables or pulses? Thanks to our extensive range, you can find a solution for just about any meal imaginable. We offer ingredients, components of meals and ready meals.
Discover our product range
We have started introducing the Nutri-Score logo on our products to help you make healthier choices when doing your grocery shopping: more vegetables in the trolley or basket.
More information about Nutri-Score
There are many more good things about vegetables and pulses. They are good for your health, but they are also better for the environment and climate. Most vegetables and pulses have a low impact on the climate. They are grown with respect for the soil they are grown on, and originate from Dutch soil as much as possible.
For example, our brown beans and field peas come from Zeeland and our red cabbage is grown at Land van Heusden and Altena. Almost all HAK vegetables are sourced from within a radius of 125 kilometres of Giessen in Noord-Brabant. This is where our factory is located and the vegetables are processed.
They are grown with respect for the soil they grow on, in line with the independent sustainability certification On the way to PlanetProof. This certification takes a broad approach, with biodiversity, soil health and fertility playing an important role. Because the healthier the soil, the healthier the vegetables.
Research shows that soil depletion leads to a decrease in nutrients in the crops grown on it (Source: Council for the Environment, page 47). So when we take good care of the soil, it takes good care of us in return. And that’s not only better for you, but for soil life too!
An average meal travels thousands of kilometres before reaching our plates. At HAK, at least 85% of all our vegetables and pulses come from within a radius of 125 kilometres of Giessen in Noord-Brabant, where our vegetables are processed.
Want to find out where our Dutch vegetables and pulses are grown?
Even though we already process responsibly grown vegetables and pulses, we are aiming to go a step further. All the products we grow within that 125km-radius must be awarded the On the Way to PlanetProof quality mark by 2021. We pay growers more to cover the extra cost of meeting the certification standards. HAK's first On the Way to PlanetProof red cabbage is already in the shops. Spinach, beets, sauerkraut and the rest will follow soon!
More information about PlanetProof
HAK is a certified B Corp. This means HAK is a certified company that is committed to a better world, with attention to people, the environment and society. Impact is assessed across five pillars: governance, environment, workers, customers and community.
HAK makes a particularly positive impact on health by offering plant-based food with 100% natural ingredients and as few additives as possible. HAK also scores well on sustainable and local growing, with growers receiving extra compensation for organic and On the Way to PlanetProof cultivation. Achieving B Corp certification underlines our Green Kitchen, HAK’s sustainability strategy.
You can read more about our sustainability goals and ambitions in our Social Impact Report. B Corp certification isn’t an endpoint for HAK but rather an impulse and the next step on our sustainable journey, because green can always be greener!
The independent B Corp certification is an initiative of B Lab, the American non-profit organisation founded in 2006, and stands as proof that a company achieves social and sustainable impact without sacrificing profit. A B Corp is transparent in everything it does. They monitor and report transparently on their impact on society and the environment, and meet accountability standards.
More information about B Corp
In our Social Impact Report 2021, we show you around HAK's Green Kitchen: the results achieved, initiatives and concrete actions. We outline the current themes with respect to health and growing. Public bodies concerned with matters of heath and consumption, growing and food processing also feature.
