Fruit grower Jacco Merkens likes to work with older employees. “They work hard, are never sick and very loyal. And I think the atmosphere at the company is very important. Every year we organize a pickers party. Then the supporters can also come and that is always very pleasant.” In addition to the older pickers, Jacco Merkens also employs many Poles and Ukrainians. “Many young people are no longer interested in a job in fruit growing, so it is difficult to find people. And I think it is important to have a good atmosphere at the company.” The older employees often do not even live nearby. “We have pickers from Veenendaal, Woudenberg and many from Bunschoten-Spakenburg.”
Apple pickers Bert, Sonja and Piet are over 60, but still work every day: ‘I can recommend it to anyone over 65’
