Sam Dennigan & Co has teamed up with Agri Aware and Miss Ireland Sinead Noonan to boost the profile of Irish potatoes, with a Meet the Spuds! potato-growing challenge and spin-off packaging.
More than 120,000 children took part in the challenge and harvested the Colleen variety.
A limited edition Rooster pack with Meet the Spuds! animated characters will outline the nutritional role of potatoes as part of a balanced diet.
Information about how the product was grown and ideas for recipes will be available in Dunnes Stores.
Miss Ireland appeared at the official launch of the pack at the Sam Dennigan & Co head office, in Oldtown, Co. Dublin.
This is the latest drive to promote the potato for the United Nations’ 2008 International Year of the Potato.
Sam Dennigan Jnr, in the marketing department, said: “The success of the Meet the Spuds! potato-growing challenge is evident. More than 120,000 children learned about the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables and the initiative proved its worth in encouraging healthy eating among our younger generation.
“We have embraced this initiative and we hope this latest campaign will provoke greater thought and appreciation for the spud. Although the potato has had a deep connection with Irish history and food, it’s high time the spud is reinstated as the true champ of Irish vegetables.”
Agri Aware shairman Mairead Lavery added: “Potatoes are head and shoulders above many foods in their role as part of balanced diet. I like to think of them as power on a plate and I think this initiative will provide the opportunity to unearth the true nutritional potential of the spud to Irish consumers.
“When consumers buy Irish produce such as potatoes, their health is not the sole beneficiary but the Irish economy grows through the support of the farming and food sector, our largest indigenous industry.”
