Symposium: Emerging technologies to monitor internal product quality of greenhouse vegetables

Effective product quality control is vital for the greenhouse sector to optimize crop yields, minimize the use of resources and pesticides and reduce food waste. Since diseases can severely impact both yield and fruit quality, prevention and early detection are key.

During this symposium, organized by The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), HAS, WUR, InHolland and 2Harvest, we will discuss the latest developments in early disease detection. We will specifically address the challenges of monitoring internal fruit defects and diseases that are not visible to the naked eye. In addition, we will take a closer look at the role of microbiomics, with a focus on fusarium in bell peppers.

Keynote speaker: Gé Happe 

We are honored to announce that Gé Happe will open the symposium. Drawing from his extensive experience in the fruit and vegetable value chain, he will share his insights on product quality and supply chain management. Gé Happe is an expert in supply chain management within the retail industry and a high-level purchasing professional specializing in fruits and vegetables. He played a pioneering role in streamlining the process of purchasing fruits and vegetables at Albert Heijn.

Program highlights 

Following the keynote, we will zoom in on internal fruit diseases and technological advances in sensing and data analysis for early detection. We will wrap up the symposium with an interactive panel discussion, bringing together experts and the audience to explore new developments in the sector and how these can help shape future R&D directions.

Target audience

This symposium is designed for stakeholders across the entire fruit and vegetable supply chain, including breeders, growers, supply chain managers, manufacturers of sensors and production lines, researchers, students, associations and umbrella organizations. 

Preliminary program 

Practical information 

• Language: The symposium will be held in English (unless all participants speak Dutch). Questions and discussions in Dutch are welcome.
• Demonstrations and poster presentations: Would you like to present a demo or poster? Please contact Daniëlle van der Kooi - van Heijningen via [email protected]. 
• Location: De Haagse Hogeschool, Rotterdamseweg 137, 2628 AL Delft.

Registration

Please register via this form by May 6th, 2026. Capacity is limited to 80 participants, so please sign up early. 

Organization 

The symposium is a collaborative effort between two consortia conducting applied research on this topic. 

1. The Detectable Vegetable: A RAAK-PRO project coordinated by THUAS with research partners HAS, WUR and TU Delft.
2. Gezonde bloem, gezonde vrucht: A RAAK-MKB project coordinated by InHolland.

Both projects are funded by SIA.

Questions? 

Please contact Daniëlle van der Kooi - van Heijningen at [email protected].