Potato supplier Greenvale AP and Sainsbury’s took bold steps to ease supplier-supermarket relations last week by co-hosting an organic potato conference.

The conference, held at HDRA’s Organic Gardens in Ryton, near Coventry, provided an opportunity for organic growers to discuss the challenges of the sector and discover production methods, which could ease certain common difficulties.

Four members of the Sainsbury’s organic and potato teams were on hand to present their perspectives on UK organic production and its place in the company’s overall produce section, and listen to the concerns of individual suppliers.

Greenvale marketing manager, Craig Sankey said he was pleased to see the retailer’s staff being so receptive to the suppliers’ enquiries.

“We were really pleased that they were so keen to get together and actually come to talk to the growers. I think that would have to be a first for a retailer,” he said.

Responsible for some 90 per cent of Sainsbury’s potato supplies, Greenvale has forged strong ties with the chain and its team.

After the initial presentations, delegates headed out to Greenvale’s test plots at the back of the gardens to witness various demonstrations on topics such as variety development, beneficial insects and fertility-building crops.

Greenvale staff members were particularly keen to explain the advantages of the company’s trademark product Decyst, which is the latest combative solution to the renowned potato killer, potato cyst nematodes.

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