Kwintsheul, The Netherlands
April 29, 2011

In Kwintsheul (the Netherlands) yesterday the official opening took place of the Trial Center Tomato, the new tomato demo glasshouse of vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan.

The first part of the opening consisted of an informative programme for guests, among whom were a number of growers’ associations, building firms and the Rijk Zwaan management. After two presentations about hygiene protocol GSPP, the official opening ceremony took place, with an important role for the 87-year-old father of Leo van Meurs. Leo van Meurs manages the Trial Center Tomato. After a chanteuse rendering a ‘tomato demo song’ composed especially for the occasion, there was a guided tour around the modern nursery, during which the group was given the opportunity to view the brand-new, 1-ha glasshouse for the first time.

More than 70 tomato varieties

Once the official part was over, tomato growers and other interested parties could also enter the glasshouse and cast a critical eye over more than 70 different tomato varieties. While enjoying a bite to eat and a drink they had a chance to make the acquaintance of Leo van Meurs, the experienced tomato grower who built the Trial Center Tomato and who will be managing it in the years to come. He took over the baton from Harry Augustijn, who managed the tomato demo glasshouse in Steenbergen in the previous 7 years.
 

Website: http://www.rijkzwaan.nl

Published: April 29, 2011