Last week, Coccinelle donated 350 crisp, green apples to primary school De Vinderij in Lokeren. One for every child at the school – bringing smiles to the classrooms. We spoke with Joris Verhoeven, marketing and sustainability manager at Coccinelle, about this initiative.
Why did Coccinelle donate apples to a school?
At Coccinelle, we believe that sustainability goes beyond ecology alone. It’s also about people and well-being. After sorting, we had some apples left that were just a bit too large for our packaging. Instead of selling them, we chose to do something special: make children happy.
Why specifically primary school De Vinderij?
We believe it’s important to create local impact. De Vinderij is a school in Lokeren with which we were able to establish a warm collaboration. This way, the apples were not only used sustainably, but also reached children who are learning and growing every day
How did the children react?
Fantastic! You could see the excitement in their eyes when they received the apples. Some ate them right away, while others cut them into pieces to share with classmates. For them, it wasn’t just an apple, but a surprise that made their school day more fun.
Our ‘end of waste’ program prevents food waste and creates – where possible – social value.
What does this initiative mean for Coccinelle?
It fits perfectly within our ‘end of waste’ program to prevent food waste and – where possible – create social value. We don’t want our products to go to waste, but to be used in ways that make a difference. In this way, we contribute to a balanced world.
Will you be doing this more often?
Definitely. We see this as an example of how small choices can bring big smiles. Whether it’s a school, a social organization, or a local project: we want to use our resources more wisely. Food is meant to be enjoyed – and if we can link that to a social purpose, we’re happy to do so.
