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Holland America Line Partners with Herb Specialist Koppert Cress to Provide Fresh Microgreens in ms Koningsdam’s Growing Area

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to feature Koppert Cress ingredients

Seattle, Wash., January 13, 2016 — Holland America Line is partneringwith award-winning microgreen specialist Koppert Cress to grow freshingredients onboard the line’s newbuild, ms Koningsdam. The KoppertCress partnership will enable guests to indulge in fresh microgreens grownonboard in the Culinary Arts Center while enjoying a farm-to-table-style menufor dinner.

Theingredients will be on display in a glass-enclosed growing area in thereimagined Culinary Arts Center, which also will serve as a dinner venue on Koningsdam.Dinner in the Culinary Arts Center restaurant will provide an immersivefarm-to-table experience where chefs prepare simple, artisanal dishes in theshow kitchen. Each course will be enjoyed as it’s freshly prepared, with someingredients harvested by the ship’s chefs from the Koppert Cress growing areajust before being served.

“We’reexcited to partner with an innovative company like Koppert Cress to expand ourculinary program with a special farm-to-table dining concept,” said OrlandoAshford, Holland America Line’s president. “This partnership brings a unique,hands-on and fresh experience to our newest dining venue aboard Koningsdam.”

Oncesown, the seedlings will grow for up to two weeks and then get snipped in theirprime for use during dinner in the Culinary Arts Center. The microgreens havedistinct flavors like garlic, mustard and licorice, which will enhance thetaste of each dish served.

“Rather than being used as a garnish, the Koppert Cressmicrogreens will be used as integral ingredients in the recipes,” said MichaelSmith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development. “Ourguests will be able to watch them grow during the cruise and then savor themfreshly harvested and at their highest flavor potential during their Dinner atthe Culinary Arts Center experience.”

AboutKoppert Cress
Based in the Netherlands with branches all over the world, Koppert Cress is thepremier grower of living microgreens and other edible specialties. The companyspecializes in cresses — the seedlings of unique plants — that are procuredfrom around the globe, each with its own unique taste, aroma, texture andappearance.

“Putting our microgreens on a cruise ship is a new adventure forus, and we are thrilled to be working with an esteemed company like HollandAmerica Line,” said Rob Baan, founder, Koppert Cress. “Exposing our microgreensto a new audience who have an appreciation for fine cuisine is exciting forKoppert Cress, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Inthe Netherlands the company has twice been presented the AGF Innovation Award,an honor bestowed by a jury of peers in the Dutch vegetable industry. In theUnited States, the Long Island, New York, branch hasreceived much recognition, including being appointed as the James Beard House’sofficial purveyor of hand-selected microgreens and specialties. For moreinformation about Koppert Cress, visit koppertcress.com.

For more information about Holland America Line and msKoningsdam, consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL(877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

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