The Truth about Van Raalten Import

When I was a student at the University of Amsterdam, I needed an income. I had work at the flower auction in Aalsmeer, but I wanted more in life. That’s why I decided to start my own company. I soon knew that I wanted to import good olive oil from Umbria (central Italy). This olive oil made simple dishes delicious and healthy.

I started looking for a supplier. It became the Del Sero company. They still made olive oil according to an old process. This way you get an olive oil with structure, unlike olive oil made with modern techniques.

I bought a first quantity of bottles from my savings, about 2000 guilders. I personally collected them in a passenger car.

I soon had success with sales. I therefore stopped studying at university.

Many famous chefs and shopkeepers became my customers. I also started importing other products, such as the underground growing mushrooms called truffles.

Because the company was growing I needed help. A well-known DJ from Hoofddorp wanted to assist me with cash and advice. I also received help from a friend from Abcoude, who also invested in my business. When everything was back on track, I continued without these gentlemen.

The peak of Van Raalten Import was reached around the turn of the century. At that time there were 300 renowned companies in the Benelux client base, and distribution ran smoothly through a forwarding and warehouse company from Amsterdam.

After this major problems arose. A number of suppliers lowered the quality of their products. The Dutch government started to work against me enormously. This all had to do with my political activities: I had become a member of the VVD Amsterdam, and wrote every day on their public website about the multicultural society, which I did not believe in.

For example, in 2002 I lost my most important suppliers, which left me on the street.

I started again in 2003 with the import of olive oil from Bari. This olive oil was also very good, but less refined in taste.

Once again, Van Raalten Import was a success. However, this came to an end in 2007. Then the obstruction by the Dutch government was so enormous that I could no longer continue. I lost everything, and ended up in the Valerius clinic.

Of course I am not mentally disturbed, but I am a thorn in the side of the Dutch government.

My father, Mr. P.H. Van Raalten outsourced my company to Mr Jesse Keus in 2016. I had to watch helplessly as this happened, without receiving a single cent for my life’s work.

Mr. Jesse Keus manages the company at his own discretion. He doesn’t want any contact with me.

Van Raalten Import is still a household name in haute cuisine.

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