After three years, Sioen Fresh Foods in Ledegem, Belgium, claims to have firmly established itself as a reliable partner in the cutting and packaging of fresh vegetables. What began as a family project by brothers Frank and Francis Sioen has since grown into a company with a stable customer base. Yet the brothers emphasize that there are still many growth opportunities. "We have now mastered our entire production process to perfection," Frank explains. "As a result, we can guarantee a level of quality and shelf life virtually unseen in the market until now. And that opens doors for new customers."
© Sioen Fresh Foods
Long shelf life of fresh produce
The brothers themselves cite their exceptionally long product shelf life as the key to their success. For example, even in the warmer summer months, their cauliflower florets stay perfectly fresh for up to 12 days after packing. Frank explains: "That is something you rarely find elsewhere. For retail, this means a major advantage: waste is drastically reduced, and the so-called 'shrink', the difference between purchased and actually sold product, decreases significantly. That difference translates directly into higher margins and thus a clear financial benefit for our customers."
Wide range
Sioen Fresh Foods offers a broad selection, including cauliflower and broccoli florets, cauliflower and broccoli rice, small snack-size cauliflower florets, carrot snacks, ready-to-eat Brussels sprouts, radishes, and two types of appetizer trays. The company operates according to a circular and sustainable production principle.
© Sioen Fresh Foods
No waste
"Take cauliflower as an example," Frank explains. "The standard size 6 largely goes directly to retail as a premium product. We process the smaller and larger heads into florets, while the stems are turned into cauliflower rice. This way, nothing is wasted, and only the leaves are sent to animal feed. It is not only more sustainable, but also more efficient. At the same time, we are always looking ahead: innovation remains central to our work. We already have several promising products in the pipeline."
Own cultivation
According to the brothers, the success of the first three years is mainly thanks to their own cultivation. Within a 10-kilometre radius of the production site, vegetables are harvested and processed within hours. "If we need to purchase additional produce, we only work with growers who handle their crops in the same way we do. This is the only way we can consistently deliver the quality we and our customers expect. In addition, the varieties we select always align with our vision of quality and sustainability."
© Sioen Fresh Foods
Daily deliveries
Through partnerships with logistics providers, Sioen Fresh Foods delivers daily within a 300-kilometre radius of Ledegem, including the Netherlands. Products reach consumers both under private label and through Eric's Farm's own brand. The brothers made a conscious decision to outsource sales so they could focus entirely on what they do best: growing, storing, and processing. "This focus ensures that our production is virtually error-free and that we can consistently guarantee top quality," Frank emphasizes.
Looking to the future and international ambitions
Sioen Fresh Foods is not only focused on the Belgian market but also aims to build a name internationally. To introduce their products to a wider audience, the brothers will soon participate in the Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid. Visitors will find them in Hall 4, stand B02B. Frank concludes: "With our presence, we want to show that fresh-cut vegetables are not only healthy but also particularly convenient and sustainable. Our approach combines the best of traditional farming with innovative processing techniques. Both retailers and consumers benefit directly."
For more information:
Frank Sioen
Sioen Fresh Foods
Slypsstraat 12A
B-8880 Ledegem
[email protected]
https://ericsfarm.be/nl
Kilian De Geyter
Sellyd
[email protected]
www.sell yd.be