Sustainable smoothie spreads TEXT: PAOLA WESTBEEK | PHOTOS: YESPERS
Some start their day with a smoothie, some prefer a sandwich. So why not put a smoothie in a sandwich? Enter Yespers with their 100 per cent natural, chilled fruit and vegetable spreads that are very low in sugars and calories, and contain no preservatives. A healthy, clean and sustainable product that is delectable on bread. And that is only the beginning... When CEO Stefan Baecke, who grew up on a Dutch farm, began missing his morning slice, he and Patrick Ooms (long-time friend and now the company’s head of business development), came up with a deliciously innovative solution. Why not make a ‘spreadable’ smoothie? Driven by the desire to contribute to a more sustainable food chain, they launched a line of all-natural fruit and vegetable spreads. These products are exemplary of Yespers’ mission: promot24 | Issue 29 | May 2016
ing a sound relationship between consumers and producers. Ooms explains: “The food chain is mostly focused on output and is a ‘push’ market. It’s far more sustainable to create a pull market in which products are produced because consumers demand them. It doesn’t only make sense environmentally, it is also more sustainable financially. Nowadays, people want to know what they eat. That prompts food manufacturers to open the black box all the way down to the farmer. The next step is to include the farmers in the chain. That’s what we at Yespers are doing.” A philosophy that translates to a product that is a joy to eat, not only because it is made fairly, but also because it is incredibly tasty. The spreads, sold in recyclable glass jars, come in three zesty flavours brimming with the natural goodness of fresh fruits and with absolutely
no additives. There is a mango/pineapple variety with warm, tropical notes and an apple/raspberry combination with a touch of vanilla. Both also contain carrots. The third flavour is bursting with berries and ripe, red strawberries. More than a topping for bread, they can jazz up everything from your morning cereals, yogurt and pancakes and are even wonderful spooned right out of the jar. Ooms: “Our spreads are extremely versatile, and that’s why we decided to put together a recipe book published on our website.” They can be used in cheesecakes, chutneys and so much more, but they also complement food exceptionally well. Yespers spreads are available in Dutch supermarkets and through their web shop. Yespers is currently investigating opportunities abroad. www.yespers.com