Peddlers and Hard Vegetables

Starting in 1893 with a greengrocer’s shop on Schiedamsedijk in Rotterdam (later moving to Westzeedijk after World War II), Jacobus Adrianus Meeder and his wife laid the solid foundations for our future success. The shop was situated close to the wharf, where peddlers would load the goods ordered onto little boats. They would then head for the ships lying anchored in Rotterdam harbour.

The supply of fruit and vegetables from auctions was highly seasonal. So bottled and ‘hard or storage vegetables’ were on the menu for ship’s crews and passengers, as well as dried produce. The main priority was maximum shelf-life under often poor storage conditions. Freshness and vitamins weren’t such a concern back then.