News
Virgin Nuts. The past, the present, the future...
November 2024
Recycled PET tape
In our tireless efforts to increase the sustainability of our company, we have taken another small step. Since October, we keep our packed products protected and food safe with a unique tape that consists for more than 85% of recycled PET bottles. Besides that drink bottles get a new life, this new and thinner tape (with the strength of a regular PP tape) obviously ensures less waste (up to 40%) and remains recyclable.
With this recycled PET tape, yearly at least 92,000 meters of new plastic are saved by reusing recycled PET bottles instead.
Let’s work together for a green and healthy earth 💚 Every little step counts.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
October 2024
Xmas closure 2024
Our factories are closed from 19 December 2024 until 5 January 2025 and our warehouse and office are closed from 25 December until 1 January 2025. Business will resume as usual on January 6th, next.
For products to be produced before Christmas (pending availability), send us your order before 15 November next.
For more information on lead times for production in January 2025, contact our Sales department.
September 2024
BRCGS Food Safety certified
Yesss, we’ve passed this year's audit with glance and achieved the highest AA level.
Our BRCGS certificate, a leading recognition (recognized by the GFSI, the worldwide partnership of retailers), shows that the Virgin Nuts production facilities (including our peanut free facility) meet all food safety (incl. food defense, food fraud prevention, quality culture, etc.) requirements set by the British Retail Consortium (BRCGS).
We are very proud and we thank all our employees for being a true team and giving their very best every day.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
August 2024
Proud Bliss Bizz Partner
Since 2018 we've supported several Bliss to Shine initiatives, like the Shine Day, annual Gingerbread sale and anniversary magazine. To add continuity to the support of Bliss to Shine's important activities, we have joined the Bliss Bizz Partner program.
The Bliss to Shine foundation supports families dealing with cancer, by fulfilling wishes of their children and family members. Besides individual wishes, the foundation organises the annual "Shine Day", a large-scale pampering day for (ex-) cancer patients, their families, friends and others involved. All contributions are aimed on making a positive contribution to the mental resilience of the entire family. This ensures that they are stronger in the disease process, daily life and in society.
July 2024
Vacancies @ Virgin Nuts
Job alert! Diverse productie functies
Voor onze productieomgevingen zijn wij op zoek naar extra ondersteuning voor de volgende functies:
* Proces operator (fulltime)
* Assistent proces operator (fulltime)
* Inpak medewerker (fulltime)
In deze functies vervul je een belangrijke rol binnen onze productie- en distributieprocessen. Kun je goed communiceren en samenwerken met collega's (verschillende nationaliteiten)? Ben je flexibel, nauwkeurig en bereid om te leren? Heb je discipline om te werken volgens de strenge regels voor voedselveiligheid en ben je stressbestendig? Dan is een van deze functies mogelijk een ideale positie voor een (nieuwe) carrière in de productie. Deze vacatures zijn inmiddels ingevuld.
Meer informatie vind je op de pagina Vacatures.
n.b. wij houden werving in eigen beheer en acquisitie door recruiters en uitzendbureaus wordt niet op prijs gesteld.
July 2024
Sport connects
With the official opening of the Paris 2024 Olympics, more than two weeks full of sporting achievements lies ahead of us. Over 10,000 sporters will compete in 32 different sports.
Unlike the previous Olympics, karate is not included in this edition. Hopefully in the next edition, or the one after, karate will be included again, for we know a young (Dutch Youth Selection U14) #TeamNL member, recognized by #nocnsf as a promising karateka, who is committed to representing the Netherlands at her best: @karate_ise.
Virgin Nuts is proud to support Ise and to help her achieving her short to medium term goals to being selected for the European and World Youth Championships in 2026. You GO, Ise!
July 2024
Sale alert!
Every now and then, the going gets tough for one of our customers (fortunately not too often) and they were forced to last-minute cancel their order of freshly produced vanilla macadamia style 5 (pieces approx. 4-20mm).
Especially for #chocolate, #icecream, #breakfast cereals, #nutbar, etc. producers, this #specialoffer is super interesting, for this #highquality #ingredient can now be purchased at a #specialprize. We have only 550kg in stock, so better be quick (first come, first served) and contact us for more information. Sample available on request.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
July 2024
Recipe for success
For several years now, we have been working with employment agency AB Midden Nederland to our complete satisfaction. Nice to read that the satisfaction is mutual…
Read the full story (Dutch only) online at abmiddennederland.nl.
June 2024
Peanut free, naturally
Especially for the food industry (chocolate, ice cream, cereals, etc.), we can produce ingredients with the most delicious #100%natural flavours and without a single trace of peanut. Our peanut free facility is BRCGS Food Safety certified.
Both production facilities are strictly separated. Our policies, procedures and protocols emphasize the strict rules to keep out all (traces and residues of) peanuts of our peanut free facility. This applies to the machines but also to all instruments, tools, (packaging) materials, forklift trucks and of course our personnel, their work gear and lunches.
Unique in the world of caramelised ingredients, but very common for us. Peanut free, naturally!
5 June 2024
Gingerbread day
Virgin Nuts is famous for caramelised nuts, seeds and cereals with one of our 5 base flavours: honey, maple, cinnamon, vanilla and… gingerbread. Gingerbread is a comforting mix of aromatic spices that makes our thoughts wander off to autumn and winter, picturing fragrant home baked cookies. What a surprise to learn that in the USA this fragrant food is celebrated on the 5th of June.
For us, it’s the perfect moment to bring your attention to one of our favourite base flavours. Gingerbread is #absolutelydelicious with brown almonds and they also combine very well with pecan nuts and granola too, but our top favourite is caramelised pretzel granulate with #gingerbread. These aromatic gingerbread pretzel pieces are a perfect ingredient for #chocolate and #breakfastcereals. With main spices like ginger, cinnamon and cloves, gingerbread uplifts every type of food or moment to a #loveatfirstbite and comforting one.
Happy Gingerbread day and… Enjoy!
May 2024
Virgin Nuts @ PLMA 2024
On 28 and 29 May, Virgin Nuts has exhibited at the 2024 edition of PLMA's "World of Private Label" International Trade Show in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
We thank all visitors for stopping by @virginnuts (stand 6.C03). It was a pleasure meeting you all and showing you our products, like our new and #absolutelydelicious products that were shown at the New Product Expo.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
May 2023
Meet our Stars
For the 2024 edition of PLMA's "World of Private Label" International Trade Show, the committee has selected 3 of our newest star products. And with good reason, for we will introduce 3 #absolutelydelicious new #sustainable #ethicallysourced #vegan, yet recognizable cheese, bacon and salmon flavoured, #cashew products #virginfairnuts :
. Organic dry roasted cheese onion style African cashews
. Dry roasted smoked salmon style (with dill & lemon) African cashews
. Dry roasted fried bacon style African cashews
On 28 and 29 May next, you can meet our new stars at the #PLMA2024 New Product Expo and, of course, at our stand 6.C03 (Hall 6).
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
17 May 2023
Caramelised walnut pieces
Every May 17th, we honour the ancient, healthful walnut. Walnuts are a great addition to sweet treats, like #icecream, but are also appreciated in #breakfastcereals and #bakeryproducts.
Especially for the #foodindustry, we produce Caramelised walnut pieces. With the functional yet #absolutelydelicious #caramelised coating, we make sure that the walnut pieces remain crunchy when processed in, for instance, ice cream.
We can produce your caramelised walnut pieces also as a full #organic product and/or #peanutfree, to make sure that even more customers can enjoy your products with #caramelisedwalnutpieces.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
28 + 29 May 2023
Virgin Nuts @ PLMA 2024
On Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 May 2024 Virgin Nuts exhibits at PLMA's "World of Private Label" International Trade Show in the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam.
Our stand will be overloaded with our #absolutelydelicious #honeycoatednuts #dryroastedseasonednuts and #loveatfirstbitegranolas including several striking new products and new flavour combinations, so don't miss out 😉
We look forward to welcoming you in Hall 6, stand 6.C03 (different location than in the past years).
27 April 2024
King's Day
On the 27th of April it’s #KingsDay in The Netherlands. It’s the biggest and best national event of the year with huge celebrations in orange coloured streets, with music festivals, bulging cafes and terraces. Besides orange #tompoucen (custard slices) and #bitterballen, we’ll enjoy our Caramelised orange almonds, an indulgent snack with #100%natural sweet and fragrant orange.
Good news: this really super ‘gezellige’ (typical Dutch word meaning so much as ‘cozy’) day promises to be a sunny one 🤞 Happy King’s Day!
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
22 April 2024
Happy Earth Day
April 22 is #EarthDay. The day to honour our beautiful earth.
Activities and campaigns are organized worldwide to do something good for our planet. Like the Trees for All initiative to donate trees. With this gift you contribute to a better climate, more biodiversity and healthy living conditions for everyone.
As a CO2 partner, we support #TreesforAll sustainable forestry projects in NL and abroad, to provide more greenery and to restore forests worldwide.
Join us in celebrating Earth Day and donate trees to the earth.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
April 2024
Sun kissed cashews
We’re excited to introduce this striking new product line in our savoury seasoned snack range: seasoned sun kissed African cashews. Besides #absolutelydelicious, this line is both sustainable and environmentally friendly (lower CO2-footprint).
The organic cashews are mainly dried in the field. After calibration, the cashews are cooked, cut and cracked and then oven dried for skin removal. The peeling is the most delicate part of the process and only the carefully selected cashews are packed and shipped to Europe. Thanks to centralised growing and processing in Africa and skipping the dry roasting process, a significant CO2 reduction is achieved. Knowing this will make our #sunkissedcashews, as part of our #virginfairnuts range, even more delicious and #loveatfirstbite.
Read More
April 2024
Ice ice pecan
Ice cream can be topped or filled with many ingredients, but of course we prefer ice cream with caramelised nuts, like these #absolutelydelicious caramelised pecans.
Of course, not only pecan nuts are suitable for #icecream. Thanks to our artisanal caramelisation process all types of (diced) nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.) get an essential barrier to lock in the flavour of the nuts and to preserve their crunchiness. Depending on the production method of ice cream, an optionally additional layer of coconut oil prevents the sugar from draining.
To ensure that even more people can enjoy your delicious ice cream, on request we can produce your ice cream ingredients peanut free as well.
26 March 2024
It started with a street nut cart...
"As a graduate, he caramelised nuts in his street nut cart in Melbourne (Australia). Almost three decades later, Diederick van Merkestijn is a leading player in Europe, providing nuts with a tasty coating."
Recently our founder and owner was interviewed by "De Ondernemer", an online platform for entrepreneurs. And not without reason, for his success is like a story in a children's book. While traveling the world, Diederick turned out to bea real entrepreneur...
Read the full story (Dutch only) online at deondernemer.nl.
English version (translated)
March 2024
Kosher @ Virgin Nuts: more than a symbol
Since 2018 Virgin Nuts is kosher certified under strict supervision of Rabbi P.A. Meyers of Antwerp (Belgium) from the Hager Kashrus Committee (the Rabbinical Board for Kosher Certification). We’re pleased to confirm that Virgin Nuts has a kosher quality mark for all caramelised products (the objective of the Kosher audit).
Kosher is so much more than a symbol. It ensures that accredited products - no matter if you choose just caramelised nuts, seeds or cereals or with an addition of honey, cinnamon, maple, gingerbread or vanilla and even if you want herbs and/or spices added - are strictly Kosher and are produced according to the Kosher rules and guidelines.
Our Kosher certificate is internationally renowned and stands for reliability and quality. With certified products, even more people can enjoy the caramelised and dry roasted seasoned products that we can produce for you. Contact us for more information on our kosher products.
March 2024
Spring holidays 2024
During the upcoming holidays, our office and factories will be closed on:
- 29 March: Good Friday
- 1 April: Easter Monday
- 9 May: Ascension Day (10 May: Factories closed)
- 20 May: Whit Monday
Contact us for more information about our production scheduling during the upcoming spring holidays. We wish you happy days!
March 2024
What we do and for who
Virgin Nuts is a producer of artisanal caramelised nuts, seeds and cereals and dry roasted seasoned nuts, as a #snack for wholesale/distribution, re-packers, retail/webshops or - for the food industry - as an ingredients for applications like #chocolate, #icecream, breakfast #cereals, etc.
Our products contain 100% natural ingredients, so no artificial colouring nor flavouring.
Check out this animation to see what we do and for which industries we produce the best artisanal coated nuts, seeds and cereals. Together with you, we like to think and work along, to create a matching product that fulfils your wishes and requirements.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
February 2024
Vacancies @ Virgin Nuts
Job alert: junior magazijnmedewerker
Als junior magazijnmedewerker ben jij de spil van onze logistieke afdeling. Je zorgt ervoor dat het magazijn netjes en geordend is. Je houdt overzicht en zorgt dat alle grondstoffen en verpakkingen precies daar staan waar deze horen. Zie je dat iets bijna op is? Jij signaleert het voordat het een probleem wordt.
Daarnaast boek je alle inkomende goederen in en communiceer je met de sales afdeling over uitgaande bestellingen.
En vind je het ook leuk om jouw sales collega’s te ondersteunen bij een succesvolle uitvoering van projecten? Dan ben jij onze STER en bieden wij jou de mogelijkheid om verder te groeien! Deze vacature is inmiddels ingevuld.
Meer informatie vind je op de pagina Vacatures.
February 2024
Virgin Nuts production net zero
While producing our #absolutelydelicious sweet coated and dry roasted seasoned nuts, seeds and cereals, unavoidably CO2 is emitted. Virgin Nuts highly values the environment and we fulfil our mission to reduce our CO2-emissions to the max by:
- strict waste separation;
- unprinted bulk packaging;
- FSC cardboard as secondary packaging;
- adjustments of the primary packaging (food liners), to reduce plastic as much as possible;
- used pallets instead of new ones (0.015 ton CO2 reduction per pallet);
- adjustments of machinery for optimal usage of each m3 of gas;
- solar panels over the entire roof of both factories;
- looking at the supply chain, for instance by introducing our #virginfairnuts
To offset for the rest and to keep the Virgin Nuts production facilities carbon neutral #netzero we compensate 220 tons of CO2 by supporting Trees for All sustainable forestry projects.
Read More
February 2024
Addicting . Organic . Veggie . Cheese . Onion
Each month we develop at least 3 new products. All #loveatfirstbite and #absolutelydelicious and sometimes even ever so addictively delicious, like this one: Dry roasted cashews with a cheese onion style seasoning. We can’t stop ourselves from and even your lactose and/or milk intolerant customers don't have to hold back, because this product is fully #vegan and can be produced both as #organic as conventional..
Even though we think it’s superb on (organic) cashews, we can also produce this product with peanuts and/or other nuts. Contact us for more information and tempt yourself and your customers with this new addictive #snack.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
19 January 2024
Pop uh... Snack corn day
On January 19, it’s #popcornday. On this day (but also on all other days 😉), we honour the base of this popular snack: #corn. We can produce #absolutelydelicious products with this natural ingredient without popping. Like these savoury Smoked BBQ chili corn as a #loveatfirstbite #noaddedsugar #moviesnack.
Besides as single #snackproduct, we can also recommend our nut mixes with corn. And - it goes without saying - our indulgent caramelised corn is perfect as an ingredient for #chocolate #icecream #cereals #saladmixes etc.
Contact us for more information on #smokedbbqchilisupremecorn #caramelisedsupremecorn #honeysupremecorn #caramelisedcaribbeanspicedsupremecorn or any other corn-flavour combination as a striking new product for your customers.
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
January 2024
Party every day
First of all: happy new year! With big and small parties, we have closed the old year and welcomed the new year 2024. Stillness and darkness after a brightly lit month full of celebrations. Why only party at the end of a year, while you can encourage your customers to celebrate each day like it’s their birthday (may we suggest this as a number 1 new year’s resolution?! 😉).
A handful of nuts each day can be alternated with a handful of sweet and/or savoury coated nuts, like this Dry roasted oriental spiced snack mix corn. No matter which nuts, seeds and cereals you offer, make sure that your customers enjoy their daily snack as a treat.
Your challenges are our chances and – as always - we’re full of new ideas to jointly create products with impact for your customers. Together with you, we like to think and work along, to create a matching product that fulfils your wishes and requirements. Happy and nuttiful 2024!
#thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural