Former McDonald's vice president, Ray Cesca, will demonstrate how demand for potatoes is being affected by dramatic developments in the global food service sector. Benchmarking, pesticide use and meeting the requirements of overseas markets make the line-up of key topics.
Specialist information will be available at BPC zones that will focus on key seed, storage and quality control issues. Experts will also tackle the unimaginable possibility of growing and handling potatoes without water and new rulings on diffuse water pollution, highlighting what businesses should be doing now to help shape new legislation. Consultants will also fine-tune visitors' techniques for improving disease control.
BPC event co-ordinator, Hannah Angus says BP2003 represents an important opportunity for the potato supply chain to obtain new ideas. “It's a great meeting place and will open up communication lines throughout the supply chain,” she said. “It will act as a forum to make new contacts and re-establish existing ones.
“Typically many visitors choose the national event for up-to-date marketing advice. Speakers and topics will explain how businesses can capitalise on new opportunities and, of course, tackle the perceived threats posed by overseas competition and other food types. Further marketing advice, based on BPC consumer research will be available from the various BPC displays where information can be tailored to your business,” she said.
Around one in five customers are completely new, so both static and working demonstrations will feature new equipment and services. Specialist zones will be a major feature including a storage zone that will focus on new storage techniques and quality control matters setting out priorities for maintaining a high quality product while the seed zone will highlight all aspects relating to seed production, inspection and buying.
