Cultivation Academy: Collaborating with Belgian growers for more sustainable vegetable cultivation.

Kobbegem, 24 April 2025 – Delhaize continues to put its ambitious mission for more sustainable agriculture into practice by working with local Belgian growers. Together with its partners Bakker and Arvesta, the retailer is launching the Cultivation Academy, an initiative aimed at making farming practices in Belgium more sustainable. The result? Vegetables that are not only tasty and healthy, but also grown with respect for the planet and the soil, thanks to regenerative farming techniques. Belgian consumers can now purchase vegetables with a smaller ecological footprint.

Together for More Sustainable, Local Agriculture

In collaboration with partners Arvesta and Bakker, Delhaize is establishing the Cultivation Academy, where growers receive advice and support on the use of regenerative farming techniques. The goal of the academy is to bring Belgian growers together so they can share knowledge and experiences to optimise their cultivation practices.

Delhaize strongly believes in the power of collaboration. By working with local growers, the retailer contributes to the transition toward a more sustainable agricultural sector and helps Belgian consumers make more sustainable choices. The (seasonal) vegetables offered by Delhaize are not only good for your health, but also for the planet. Vegetables grown using regenerative farming techniques improve biodiversity and promote soil health.

Growing Sustainably

For Delhaize, growing sustainably means reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. Since every soil and crop – and therefore every need – is different, Delhaize chooses to work in a tailor-made way with growers. The Cultivation Academy supports farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices, such as planting cover crops and using water efficiently. Regenerative agriculture is central to this approach. It is a cultivation method that not only respects nature but also strengthens and restores it.

As farmers transition to regenerative practices, they implement new techniques and technologies, which may initially lead to higher costs or lower yields. To encourage farmers to make the switch, this partnership includes an additional compensation model for participating growers.

“As a grower, I’m proud to host this training on my field and to learn more about regenerative agriculture alongside fellow farmers. Using natural fertilisers helps store carbon more effectively in the soil, which is ecologically beneficial. We’re given tools to monitor soil health and take action ourselves. At every step, we consider the impact on the soil and the plant – because without plants, there are no vegetables.For me, this is a true win-win: I farm more sustainably while still achieving good yields, contributing to more sustainable vegetables in the supermarket,” says Gilke Croket, grower and participant in the Cultivation Academy.

“By applying regenerative farming techniques, we ensure that the vegetables our growers produce are not only nutritious but also contribute to healthier soils and a more sustainable ecosystem. This benefits not only today’s consumers but also future generations,” says Inge De Paepe, Sustainability Manager at Delhaize.

Delhaize Excels in Sustainability

Earlier this year, Delhaize was named the winner of the Sciensano BIA study in the field of sustainability. The retailer scored highly on various sustainability indicators, highlighting the success of its long-standing efforts. Delhaize has set ambitious goals for the future, including participation in the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The retailer aims to reduce CO₂ emissions across its entire value chain by 45% by 2030 compared to 2018.

About Arvesta

Arvesta is building the agriculture of tomorrow in a sustainable way, thanks to its unique expertise and innovative smart farming solutions. Active in animal nutrition, agriculture, horticulture, and retail, Arvesta helps farmers grow and increase their yields. With over 2,300 experts and 40 strong brands, Arvesta is a knowledge center for both farmers and consumers. As a full-service provider for farmers and horticulturists, Arvesta is a leading player in Belgium and is also active internationally with branches in the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
​www.arvesta.eu

About Delhaize

As of July 2024, Delhaize De Leeuw employs no fewer than 32,000 people and operates 811 stores in Belgium and Luxembourg. The store network includes Delhaize supermarkets, Proxy Delhaize, and Shop & Go formats. Through delhaize.be, customers can shop online and either pick up their orders at collection points or have them delivered to their homes. Delhaize offers a wide assortment of over 20,000 quality products and holds a market share of 22.46% (source: Nielsen).

About Bakker Belgium

Since November 2019, Bakker Belgium has been a strategic partner of Delhaize. The Greenyard company supplies a large part of the fresh fruit and vegetable assortment to the distribution centers of the Belgian supermarket chain. Their shared ambition is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for a healthier future while creating a more sustainable food supply. Bakker Belgium has sister locations in the Netherlands (Ridderkerk) and the Czech Republic (Divisov), which also serve Ahold Delhaize.
​www.bakkerbelgium.be