Munching on a carrot or snacking on capsicum strips has always been second nature to me. My first job was stocking the shelves in my family's market garden produce shop, so I thought I had a pretty good handle on where vegetables came from. But, in 2017, I joined the vegetable seed company, Rijk Zwaan, and wow were my eyes opened.
I've been lucky enough to witness the very start of the fresh food chain. In my travels I have been to our headquarters in Holland and met with breeders who develop new vegetable varieties. By working with nature, our breeders can create tastier redder tomatoes, sweeter melons and smaller cucumbers and other vegetable varieties with improved resistances to pests and diseases. We sell the seeds produced from new vegetable varieties to growers all around the world.
Growers are some of the most passionate and talented people I have ever met. They work crazy long hours - but to them, it's not just a job, but a way of life.
I'm inspired to share the amazing stories of this industry - from the breeders to the technical sales reps, to growers and the everyday person who is passionate about vegetables. I'm even trying to turn my own black thumb into a green one! As someone who has always loved vegetables, I'm really enjoying discovering new and interesting ways to incorporate fresh, good food into my diet through delicious recipes on Love my Salad.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about the vegetable industry - if I don't know the answer, I will be able to find someone who does! Drop me an email at [email protected]