The UK mainland’s first new potato crop of the year is in following a difficult season, with suppliers Branston delivering them to local Cornish Tesco stores.
The Cornish new potatoes will go nationwide from 20 June, on sale in 750g packs and as a loose option until early August.
Branston hopes to get the country eating more spuds with its new campaign Seasonal Spuds, championing seasonal potatoes’ health, versatility and affordability online.
Penny Francis, head of category at Branston, said the punctual delivery of Cornish new potatoes after a delayed season is a testament to the hard work of growers.
“It’s fair to say that the particularly turbulent start to the year we’ve experienced weather-wise has presented an unusual challenge to our Cornish growers,’ Francis said.
“Rather than having their early New potatoes planted in January and February, they really have been at the mercy of the weather and have had to time planting the seed potatoes very carefully whenever the land has been dry enough - and not blanketed under a layer of snow.
“It’s a testament to the hard work, commitment and incredible intuition of our growers and agronomists that collectively we have been able to overcome this and still deliver on time a fresh, tasty crop for consumers to enjoy.”
She said the movement to buy British is growing at an exponential rate, with surveys showing 76 per cent of shopper agreeing it is important to buy local.
“We know consumers love the fact that these potatoes are freshly harvested and brought to store in the shortest amount of time possible, which is one of the major appeals of seasonal potatoes for shoppers.
“To bring the freshest and tastiest potatoes to Tesco shoppers, we work very closely with our Cornish growers – many of whom are third, fourth or even fifth generation growers – to ensure that the New potato crop is ready at the optimum time.”
