Eminent Food History
The brothers Jan and Ted Heijningen on April 21, 1983 placed their signature on the purchase contract of a garden. This is the start of a company from which later Eminent Food developed.
During the years 1983 to 1991 they grow peppers. This is a prosperous time for pepper cultivation. The brothers invested in expanding the area and at that time are among the largest pepper growers in the Netherlands.
Until 1992 when the pepper market completely collapses as the result of over-production. The brothers start looking for a replacement product to grow. In cooperation with seed companies they create a testing area in a corner of the garden for many varieties.
This initiative proves successful! In 1995 the first new product is developed in the corner that currently bears the name Eminent Seeds.
In 1996 the cultivation of the ® baby Tinkerbell peppers is started and these are sold under contract to Marks & Spencer.
The brothers Van Heijningen receive recognition for innovative entrepreneurship in this chain by winning the AGF Innovation Award in 1997.
The Eminent Group is founded in 1999 in order to separate research, production and sales in a professional way. The group since then consists of;
• Eminent Seeds - For the development of new vegetable varieties
• Eminent Production - For the testing and production of new vegetable varieties
• Eminent Food - For the sale of new vegetable varieties
In this way the brothers have the possibility to develop their capacities in their own field and Jan v Heijningen now takes on the management of Eminent Food.
In 2002 Eminent Food is also separated physically by the relocation to the ABC trade site in Poeldijk. Eminent Production and Eminent Seeds remain based in Wateringen.
In 2005, the Food Eminent is presented the opportunity to join the Best Fresh Group.
This is a smart choice because by utilizing the combination of the specialty of both within the Best Fresh Group, jointly a wide range of products can be presented to the customer.
Eminent Food chooses the strategy to also specialize in the sale of vegetable products that distinguish by shape, colour and flavour in addition to the unique products it developed