Gelukkige Groentes operates two self-picking food gardens located in Malden and Ooij, near Nijmegen, offering a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model for fresh produce. Members can subscribe for a season, typically from May to December, gaining weekly access to harvest their own vegetables, herbs, small fruits, and flowers directly from the fields. The gardens are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset for subscribers.
The farm practices natural-inclusive and regenerative agriculture, focusing on improving soil health and biodiversity without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. This approach aims to reduce CO2 emissions, minimize plastic waste and food spoilage, and foster a direct, transparent relationship between growers and consumers.
A wide variety of produce is available for self-picking throughout the season, with over 60 different types cultivated annually. This includes common vegetables like leek, onion, carrot, cauliflower, bok choy, various lettuces (cos, butterhead), kohlrabi, red beets, spring onion, sprouting broccoli, broad beans, tomato, cucumber, eggplant, bell pepper, radishes, spinach, savoy cabbage, zucchini, pointed cabbage, and endive. Forgotten varieties such as parsnip, Swiss chard, purslane, cavolo nero (palm kale), salad turnips, Hakurai turnips, tromboncino squash, and Chioggia beets are also grown. Herbs like parsley, lemon clover, oregano, coriander, dill, chives, sage, and mint are available, along with edible flowers and small fruits. Additionally, members can opt for a separate subscription to receive locally cultivated mushrooms, including oyster, shiitake, and king oyster varieties.
Beyond self-picking, Gelukkige Groentes offers various activities and educational programs. These include beginner and advanced courses on ecological vegetable gardening, workshops, family and corporate outings centered around gardening and teambuilding, and an annual plant market where seedlings, seed potatoes, and onion sets can be purchased. They also provide a training program for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in starting their own self-picking gardens, and offer educational support for schools aiming to integrate gardening lessons.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm consistently garners high praise for its exceptionally fresh and delicious organic vegetables, with customers often describing the experience of harvesting their own produce as a “real richness.” Many consider it the best and healthiest choice for obtaining local, fresh vegetables in the Nijmegen area.
The venture is spearheaded by motivated pioneers who have developed a circular organic garden complex. Beyond offering direct access to abundant produce – which subscribers can enjoy for at least eight months annually – the farm also hosts educational workshops on its mission, sometimes in collaboration with partners like ‘Grootstal,’ and demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, for instance, by accommodating hearing-impaired participants. The location occasionally transforms to host special events, such as pop-up restaurants, enhancing the overall visitor experience. Reviewers uniformly commend the “good concept” and the “wonderful garden,” expressing wishes for its continued success.