Sustainable Commerce
Supporting local farmers
SME retailers with a Super Supermarket Certificate
provide local products
SME food retailers offer local products as part of their
product selection: local products can be found on the
shelves as a result of a direct collaboration between the
independent supermarket retailer and the local and regional
growers. This collaboration is interesting for local
producers, both in terms of sales, promotion and financial
return. Besides that, this way retailers contribute to local
employment, quality of life and limit the transportation
impact. A distinctive and sustainable product selection is
part of the Super Supermarket Certificate (SSK). The SSK
Certificate is the Dutch certification for independent SME
food retailers who are both locally and socially involved.
SME food retailers develop their own local
brand
A number of SSK certified food retailers even have
their own local brand in their product selection. For example
the brothers Leussink of supermarket Jumbo Leussink developed
the local brand “Ons Noaberschap” (“be a
good neighbour”), “Lekkers uit de regio”
(“goods from the region”) belongs to retail couple
Bart and Katja de Bresser of supermarket Jumbo Bart en Katja
de Bresser, retailer Rob Geurts of Jumbo Rob Geurts has
“HEEJ Lekker oët de regio” (“hey tasty
from the region”) and “De Streek+Verbeeten”
(“the region+Verbeeten”) belongs to the family
Verbeeten of PLUS Verbeeten. The local origin of the products
and the grower or farmer is mentioned on the products.
One of these SME retailers, Jan Verbeeten, says:
“We are constantly searching for new local gems.
The regional offer provides a win-win-win situation. First of
all, it is a very good and delicious offer for the customer.
Secondly, the producers see more of their own products, which
is also from a price point of view more interesting for them.
Thirdly, it contributes to our ability to stand out and,
moreover, this way we contribute to local employment and
quality of life. By offering various regional products under
one label, the range of products is recognisable to the
customer.”
About the Super Supermarket Certificate
The Super Supermarket Certificate (SSK) is the Dutch
certification for independent SME food retailers who are both
locally and socially involved. Retailers with the SSK
certification take sustainability into account, in the
broadest sense of the word, with their entrepreneurship. For
example sponsoring local (sport)clubs, the commitment to fight
against food waste, applying energy efficiency measures and
providing regional products in cooperation with regional
producers. The independent SME retailers are franchisee of one
of the supermarket formula/format Albert Heijn, Coop, Jumbo,
PLUS or Spar. In addition to the activities and expressions of
the supermarket formula/format, the SSK certified independent
retailer has added value. Independent retailers bring colour
to the community. As well as running their own business, they
do an exceptional amount outside the shop for the benefit of
other people, the neighbourhood and the community. The SSK
Certificate is an initiative of Vakcentrum.
Dutch Food Week
The Dutch national theme
week Dutch Food Week is all about enjoying food, national food
production and innovation. Farmers and fruiters, entrepreneurs
from the supply and processing industry, retail, government
and scientists together show how they work on the production
of our food. The SSK supermarkets’ distinctive product
selection, the local products on the shelves and information
regarding the origin of the products is in line with this
week.