Foreword

Social responsibility is in our DNA. For us, it goes without saying that we should look after our environment, people and the planet. After all, the environment gives us so much in return! Just think of the nature in our A.Vogel gardens, the main source of strength for our self-care products. Everything we do in the A.Vogel gardens, we do with the greatest passion for nature and your health. That is why, for example, we grow the plants organically in our production gardens (EKO certification). So, without artificial fertilisers or chemical pesticides. At A.Vogel, we realise that we can only survive if there is a balance between people, nature and the well-being of our environment.

And the wonderful thing is: everyone can enjoy this nature. In our A.Vogel gardens, everyone is welcome to walk, to look at, feel and taste nature. We are therefore very proud of the visitor centre that has been thriving since November 2022. We have welcomed many visitors here since then. In this brand-new, interactive visitor centre, we stimulate your senses and give you a unique behind-the-scenes look at natural health and our A.Vogel products. It’s wonderful that we can now inspire even more people and let them experience the power of nature.

Would you like to experience nature with us? Come and visit our gardens! Every year, from late April to October, you’re welcome at our visitor centre. The gardens are always open from sunrise to sunset. We look forward to seeing you!

Calculation method for CO₂ footprint tightened up

Over 2,500 questions answered

Tucked away in the Veluwe forests of the Zwaluwenburg Estate lie the A.Vogel gardens, home to countless medicinal herbs and plants. It is the perfect spot for a pleasant and healthy day out surrounded by nature. Awaken your senses!

In the A.Vogel gardens, you’ll find 14 hectares of medicinal plants and herbs. These plants and herbs are, of course, a delight to behold, but they grow there primarily for your health. Whilst they’re in the gardens, they soak up active ingredients. We extract these for you and then process them into A.Vogel products. Take Echinaforce, for example. Because the most beautiful part of nature is you. And you can take good care of yourself with the natural products from the A.Vogel gardens.

We go for fresh

The fresher the plant, the more active ingredients it contains. And we want to preserve those. That’s why we harvest our plants when their active ingredients are at their peak and often process them within two hours. If we leave the plants lying around for too long after harvesting or let them dry out, the concentration of active ingredients drops rapidly. That’s why we go for fresh.

Working with nature in the A.Vogel gardens

In conversation with Wilfred Schenk, Head of A.Vogel Gardens

What makes this method of cultivation different from conventional farming?

The difference lies in our approach. Whereas conventional farming often relies on artificial fertilisers or plant protection products to correct imbalances, we design our organic gardens so that the system maintains its own balance.

We focus on healthy soil, high biodiversity and crop rotation. By enhancing natural processes, we increase the resilience of plants. This has a knock-on effect throughout the entire cultivation process. For example, we return plant-based waste streams, such as pulp from the factory, to the land. Our cultivation is not focused on maximum yield in the short term, but on a resilient growing system that strengthens nature in the long term.

Above ground, too, we work to promote biodiversity by creating habitats for insects, birds and bats, for example with flower borders, nesting boxes and brushwood piles.

What is the biggest challenge of organic farming?

You are more dependent on nature and cannot intervene quickly. That requires forward thinking and careful observation. At the same time, it makes the work varied and educational. No two seasons are the same.

“If the soil is healthy, your plants will naturally grow better.”

— Wilfred Schenk

A.Vogel is a proud partner of Trees for All. To offset our CO₂ emissions, we broke ground in February 2022: our very own A.Vogel company forest on the Oostermaet estate, near Deventer, became a reality! A total of 25,050 trees were planted, 2,500 of which were provided by A.Vogel. A diverse forest such as the one we have planted in Overijssel is far more climate-resilient than a forest where only one or a few tree species grow. In a diverse forest, for example, it is not immediately a problem if one species dies off: the remaining species will continue to form a forest. Over the coming years, the forest in Overijssel will develop into a young forest. In the years to come, the forest will continue to grow into a mature forest, where all manner of trees, plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms coexist and depend on one another.

In 2025, we took an important step in the further development of our site with the creation of a new food forest. A food forest is a productive ecosystem designed by humans that resembles a natural forest, but is organised for the production of food. This year, 25 new trees were planted. The expansion covers approximately 3,000 square metres.

Various fruit and nut trees have been planted in the food forest, including pear, apple and quince trees, walnut trees and various types of berry bushes. This not only increases biodiversity, but also supports our sustainability and educational objectives. The food forest also offers excellent opportunities to capture images over the coming period that showcase its growth and development.

In 2025, we were once again awarded the Green Key Gold certification for the A.Vogel visitor centre. This confirms our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Green Key is the largest sustainability label for the tourism and leisure sector in the Netherlands.

According to the assessment, the main strengths of our visitor centre are:

• Our highly sustainable visitor centre with an A++++ energy rating.
• The ecologically certified gardens.
• Our inspiring role for other leisure operators in the Netherlands.
• The comprehensive and clear information provided to visitors, through which we raise consumer awareness and encourage more sustainable behaviour.

In addition, we recycle our organic waste directly back into the gardens as natural fertiliser. Instead of composting it separately, we allow it to decompose on site and be absorbed into the soil, thereby closing the cycle locally.

CO₂-footprint A.Vogel Nederland en België in 2025

Waste

Waste recycling is important to A.Vogel because it helps to reduce our environmental impact and ensures the responsible use of raw materials, which is in line with our commitment to a sustainable and healthy living environment. In 2025, 45,560 kilograms of waste were recycled, 93% of which was paper and cardboard and 7% plastic. 

Our remaining waste is incinerated with energy recovery. This means that the waste is burned in a large furnace to generate energy or heat, so that it is not simply wasted.

In total, 152,988 kilograms of waste were incinerated with energy recovery in 2025.

Incinerated with energy recovery

At A.Vogel, we believe that real progress is achieved when we work together and support one another. Our social commitment is deeply rooted in our day-to-day work: we are dedicated to a healthier society, a richer natural environment and equal opportunities for all. In 2025, we continued to make significant strides in this regard, working alongside committed partners and local authorities.

Nature Work Day 2025

In 2025, we once again joined forces with the Landschapselementen Elburg Foundation for Nature Work Day: around 120 volunteers were active in our gardens and at the Zwaluwenburg Estate. Their efforts made this day a valuable experience that strengthened not only nature but also the bonds between us.

25 years of partnership with Westbroek care farm

This year marked the 25th anniversary of our partnership with Westbroek care farm! It remains an inspiration. The residents support us with a wide range of tasks in the visitor centre and the gardens, from mowing the lawn to harvesting. Their efforts enrich not only our organisation, but also themselves.

Our people

Our people are the driving force behind everything we achieve at A.Vogel. With a diverse team of 106 dedicated employees in the Netherlands and Belgium, we work hard every day to build a healthier Netherlands together. The commitment and dedication of our colleagues ensure that we can fulfil our mission: health and wellbeing for everyone.

The figures above demonstrate our broad commitment to development, well-being and inclusivity: we invest in personal support, provide opportunities for growth and encourage a healthy work-life balance. In this way, we work together to create a working environment where everyone feels valued and challenged, and we contribute to making a positive impact on society.

At A.Vogel, health in the broadest sense of the word is our top priority, both for our own people and for everyone who comes into contact with us. We believe that looking after yourself starts with a healthy lifestyle, and we actively encourage this both within and outside the organisation.

Within the organisation

For our employees, we create an environment where vitality and motivation go hand in hand. For example, we offer employees, whose roles allow it, the option to work from home on fixed days. This saves employees travel time, reduces costs and CO2 emissions, and ensures a good structure and collaboration. Free fruit and milk are available in the workplace every day, and every employee receives A.Vogel Echinaforce to help maintain their immunity, particularly during the autumn and winter months.

At A.Vogel, we place extra emphasis on physical activity. Employees are encouraged to exercise through the provision of running and cycling gear, and they receive a credit to spend on sports activities. Our aim is to make healthy living more accessible and appealing.

Outside the organisation

We also encourage people outside the organisation to get active and lead a healthy lifestyle. A fine example of this is the A. Vogelloop, which took place on 17 October on our own grounds and the Zwaluwenburg estate, made possible by Het Geldersch Landschap. On this sunny autumn day, more than 400 participants, ranging from children to recreational and professional runners, took part for a good cause. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we raised €17,000 for the Mooi Leven Huis in Zwolle. In this way, we combine health, enjoyment and social engagement, for our employees and for society as a whole.

The social role of the A.Vogel Visitor Centre

The A.Vogel Visitor Centre is a special place where the power of nature takes centre stage. We warmly welcome everyone to discover, in an accessible way, how small, conscious choices can contribute to a healthier life.

Inspiration

Our mission extends beyond health alone: we also inspire people in the areas of ecology and sustainability. For example, we encourage visitors to get involved with biodiversity at home, such as by selling seeds for their own butterfly, insect or bird garden. Whether you have a spacious garden or a modest balcony, everyone can help create a healthier living environment.

Activities for children

Children are an indispensable part of the visitor centre. We want to spark a sense of wonder and respect for nature from a young age, so that they make conscious choices later in life.

We celebrated the start of the 2025 season together with a festive opening and the fun ‘Find the Golden Chick’ competition. Visitors could win tickets for a fun day out, which helped us boost engagement and enjoyment. At the end of the season, the focus was on extra activities: creative crafts using natural materials, making your own herb salt and putting together your own bouquet.

In this way, the visitor centre fulfils a social role as a warm, inspiring environment where health, nature and sustainability come together. For young and old alike.

Staying healthy starts with living healthily. We prefer to offer our products only when a little extra support is needed. Through our gardens, newsletters, social media and our website, we inspire millions of people every year to lead healthier lives. As a result, the A.Vogel website is one of the best-known health portals in the Netherlands. People can contact us with health queries in various ways: via our information centre, but also directly by email, WhatsApp or telephone. We offer e-learning courses to business customers. Finally, we inspire as many as 205,595 people through our monthly newsletter!

Accountability

Informatie over het jaarverslag

Reporting frequency

The intention is to present a report annually.

Contact

For any questions regarding this report, please contact Jimke Scholten, Managing Director of A.Vogel NL.