West Country potato farmers joined with celebrity chef Simon Rimmer and the Potato Council at a farmers’ market in Exeter in a bid to boost potato consumption.
The event was the latest in the new campaign by the trade body as part of its Love Potatoes initiative.
The project aims to highlight the health benefits of potatoes and promote spuds as a versatile and economic choice.
The campaign was launched in response to figures showing that while overall potato sales are on the increase, just two out of 10 meals prepared by 19-35 year olds feature potatoes, compared to eight out of 10 meals served by the older generation.
Simon Rimmer, BBC 2’s Something For The Weekend’s presenter and chef, was on hand to demonstrated how mums could make the most of potatoes throughout the week, with low-cost everyday meal ideas.
He said: “With the current credit crunch, a staple home-grown crop like potatoes is, as it was to our grandparents, so important. A bag of potatoes offers such tremendous value and so many options.”
Grower Nick Bragg added: “The Love Potatoes campaign gives us a unique platform to demonstrate that potatoes are not only tasty and versatile, but they have a wider part to play in maintaining our health and our wallets.”
The Potato Council is carrying out a nationwide tour, with the help of local growers and packers, and will be visiting a number of county shows, farmers’ markets and retail car-parks to reach out to families.
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