Van Loon Group is the market leader in meat and convenience, making sustainable food accessible to everyone by acting as a chain orchestrator. For pork, we achieve this through our innovative chain program called "Varken op z'n Best" (Pork at its Best). This program follows a comprehensive chain approach. We enhance animal health and welfare, reduce pressure on nature and the environment, and improve the quality of the meat. We collaborate with chain partners to establish a transparent and fair distribution of the chain margin, including supporting the earnings model of the pig farmers. Together, we ensure that sustainable meat remains affordable.
Aim of Varken op z’n Best (Pork at its Best)
The aim of our innovative chain concept is to enhance the quality of pork and make the chain transparent, sustainable, and manageable. "Varken op z'n Best" is based on an integrated approach that involves all links in the chain, with four key elements at its core: comprehensive chain approach and earnings model, Animal Welfare and Animal Health, Environment and Nature, and Meat Quality.
Integrated supply chain approach
The VOB programme consists of four distinctive elements:
- Comprehensive chain approach and earnings model
- Animal Welfare and Animal Health
- Environment and Nature
- Meat Quality
Our chain partners
Pillar 1: Comprehensive chain approach and earnings model
Van Loon Group believes in a comprehensive approach throughout the entire chain. We choose a limited number of chain partners per link and, as a chain orchestrator, we emphasize active collaboration among all the links.
.png) | Genetics choice The farmer works with one of the established boar lines, suited to producing the ideal porker. |
.png) | 3 Selected feed suppliers Farmers feed according to a pre-defined feeding plan to encourage homogeneity. |
.png) | Climate control Data enables extra focus on creating the optimal pigsty climate. Use of climate chambers in the pigsty. |
.png) | Pest control Maintenance contract with an independent certified company. |
As a result, we support the earnings model of the pig farmer and are able to quickly implement market and consumer demands. Our goal is to achieve a fair and healthy distribution of the chain margin, allowing all chain partners to continue innovating and investing in further sustainability efforts.
 | Clean water Optional acidification of water pipes plus sampling and monitoring. |
 | High standards of cleaning the pig stalls Coating pigsties. Optional through financing fund, and recommended for poorly performing companies. |
.png) | Hygiene management on the farm Established protocols (hygiene barrier, clothing, materials, etc.) for optimal hygiene. |
 | Coaching & checking Support from an established Pig Advisory Team (PAT): vet, feed supplier, pig farmer. |
Pilar 2: Animal Welfare and Animal Health
The foundation for "Varken op z'n Best" in terms of animal welfare is the 1-star Better Life Certification. All participating pig farmers, transporters, and slaughterhouses in our chain are certified accordingly. Van Loon Group also strives for continuous improvement in this aspect every day. The pig farmers work with consistent genetics and corresponding feed plans, while placing maximum attention on hygiene management for the healthiest animals.
Pilar 3: Environment and Nature
Sustainability of the chain is a crucial goal for "Varken op z'n Best." We particularly focus on reducing the carbon footprint of the pork and increasing the circularity of the feed.
Pilar 4: Meat Quality
The pig farmer utilizes consistent genetics and corresponding feed plans, while prioritizing maximum attention to hygiene management on and around the farm.
External Independent Specialist
My name is Imelda Gielen - van de Kruijs. I was born and raised on the Krakehoeve in Weert, a mixed farm with beef cattle and pigs. My passion for the agricultural sector was instilled in me from an early age. After studying Animal Sciences in Wageningen, I worked for 16 years in the animal feed sector, with the last 11 years as a quality manager. Since 2017, I have been active as an independent consultant under the name Qraak. I take great pleasure in applying my acquired knowledge and experience in the areas of animal feeds, quality management, food safety, and product integrity in various links of the supply chain. My clients range from industry associations, animal feed producers, poultry farmers and their suppliers, to processing industries. For example, I am the independent chairperson of VoederWaarde.nl and co-initiator of SecurEggFarmer. The same passion for the agricultural sector is evident in all links of the supply chain. Everywhere, efforts are made to jointly secure a sustainable future perspective in these turbulent times. The sector is under scrutiny, so transparency and reliability are our greatest assets.
Recently, I have also become involved as an independent advisor at VOB to give substance to the term sustainability in relation to feed. Where are the opportunities and possibilities, and how can we, together with feed partners, ensure that the VOB requirements within the chain are clear to everyone? The goal is to transparently and reliably fulfill sustainability objectives by the partners. "Varken op zijn Best" is a wonderful chain concept where I am happy to contribute my expertise!
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