The second instalment of our mini-series on local partnerships is about a seasonal bestseller, an important source of vitamins and a sweet snack all in one: the strawberry. The Ingenrieth family in Brüggen knows all about this tasty but also very delicate fruit. We paid them a visit.
It's a mutually beneficial collaboration: the local strawberry partnership in Brüggen on the Lower Rhine, which only knows winners: producers, marketers and customers. The participants explain why this is the case below.
1. The producer
Christina Ingenrieth, farm successor in Brüggen
Christina Ingenrieth, farm successor in Brüggen (Lower Rhine): "We are a drop-ship supplier. This means that we drive directly to around 25 markets within a radius of around 80 kilometres six days a week, every morning. For us, regionality is a practised branch of our business, which we are increasingly utilising thanks to REWE, enabling us to deliver our strawberries even more directly to the consumer. If we have any queries, there is always someone to contact. Why regional strawberries? Because the delivery times and distances are much shorter. You can taste that. We also treat our employees as equals, as they are a very important part of the business."
2. The merchant
Ralf Stücken, REWE merchant in Brüggen: "We have been working with the Ingenrieth family from Genholter Hof for almost 20 years.
Ralf Stücken, REWE merchant in Brüggen
It's the longest relationship I've had with a local producer. In the beginning, we felt our way towards each other, but now we work together in a trusting, respectful and equal manner. We help each other and remain flexible when the situation requires it. For example, if there is too much produce, we offer special prices to sell the excess supply of strawberries. If demand is high, we can even get additional deliveries in the evening. We have also visited the Genholt farm with our trainees and fruit and vegetable experts. When you have experienced strawberry cultivation and harvesting up close, you get a feel for the produce and appreciate its value. Locality is crucial for me as a local entrepreneur in order to show my customers and employees that I am connected to the community."
3. The Locality Coordinator
Bettina Müller, CM Coordinator Locality and Regionality in the Western Region
Bettina Müller, CM Coordinator for Locality and Regionality in the Western Region: "Locality and regionality are very important to us. The advantage is that our suppliers, such as Genholter Hof, are located in the immediate vicinity and deliver their fresh produce directly to our stores, even twice a day if sales are good. Consumers want to know exactly where the produce comes from. Transparency is the be-all and end-all. Flavour anyway."
