HISTORY
Already in 1880 at a general meeting of members of the Dutch equivalent of the Royal Horticultural Society (Maatschappij voor Tuinbouw en Plantkunde (KMTP) a suggestion was made to promote newly found horticultural crops in Holland through granting of certificates.
In 1887 the well-known flower bulb expert Mr. J.H. Krelage suggested to set up three permanent judging committees: one for fruit and vegetables, one for flowers and a scientific one for diseases, in accordance with those of the Royal Horticultural Society in London. This suggestion was carried out and on 27 June 1889 the first meeting and judgement session took place in one of the halls of the Amsterdam Zoo (Artis).
In 1909 the original name of Flowers, Plants and Vegetable Committee was replaced by Vaste Keurings Commissie (Permanent Judging Committee).
During the past hundred years this Committee judged the entries at large exhibitions in the country and monthly judging sessions, which during the first 60 years took place in the Amsterdam Zoo. In 1949 a move to Aalsmeer was made, a good location for these horticultural activities because of its many nurseries, the auction, Research Station and Advisory Service.
In 1984 the monthly sessions were moved to the Dutch auctions, as to serve the total floricultural field.
The VKC carried out its activities under the name of KMTP. This guaranteed judgements according to objective standards. As from December 21 1999 the VKC is working as an independent foundation within floriculture.
Since 1988 the nomenclature, research of assortments and registration of existing and new floricultural crops is carried out by the registration department of VKC. This department was developed from the activities of the Nomenclature and Identification Committee.
On January 1, 2000 the VKC was disengaged from the Royal Society of Horticulture (KMTP) and as from this moment the Foundation VKC is working as an independent organisation.