Last week, a surprise party was held in honor of Rob Baan, where he was presented with the Baanbrekend Award, a silver medal of honor, and celebrated for his contributions to horticulture. The event was attended by hundreds of guests from both his personal and professional life.
Rob Baan, accompanied by his wife Jolanda, was the center of attention during the surprise moment. The celebration began with the Journey through the Dutch Lunch Culture event, where Rob received the first Baanbrekend Award. This award, initiated by the province of South Holland, recognizes individuals who passionately promote healthy food in the workplace. Deputy Mariëtte van Leeuwen presented the award, praising Rob for his dedication to bringing together chefs, doctors, farmers, and gardeners across various sectors.
Later in the day, Rob was surprised with a silver medal of honor from the municipality of Westland. Mayor Bouke Arends presented the award, stating, “You have not only built a successful company, but you’ve also given the sector a recognizable identity. This identity represents health, sustainability, and progress. You have demonstrated that horticulture goes beyond mere production by connecting food and health. You’ve shown that the Westland is not just about greenhouses; it’s a hub for knowledge, innovation, and community engagement.”
During his speech, Mayor Arends recalled a previous visit to Koppert Cress where Rob had him taste a young plant to illustrate a point: “This is health in its purest form.” He noted that this approach embodies Rob’s character, focused not on promoting a product, but on a deeper mission. He described Rob as someone who has brought attention to the role of food in society and demonstrated that horticulture carries a social responsibility.
The municipal government of Westland highlighted in its decision that awarding the honorary medal was not just for Rob’s entrepreneurial achievements but also for his ability to connect people both within and beyond the sector. The medal acknowledges his efforts in promoting Westland as a region known for its knowledge and expertise.
Despite the many kind words, Rob was briefly speechless. However, he quickly recovered and acknowledged the support of his team, family, and the entire sector. “It’s been worth it,” he said, but emphasized that the work isn’t done. “This space must continue to be a place for children, chefs, and adults. We must keep linking health and nutrition.”
Rob suggested he would like to spend more time abroad in the future, but he also made it clear that he would continue his mission to raise awareness about the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, and health, and the essential role horticulture plays in this. The celebration continued with speeches and festivities at the Cresstival festival grounds, where even more current and former employees joined in the celebration.
