Potato news archive – Page 115
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ArticleRetailers get regional
The concept of regional sourcing is gaining momentum year-on-year as consumers tap into the media frenzy surrounding food miles and seasonal produce, giving rise to a greater demand for local provenance. At the same time, certain regional brands are gaining recognition and continue to journey throughout the country. Elspeth Waters talks to major retail buyers around the UK to discover what all the fuss is about.
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ArticleThe Royal family
Last year was something of a turning point for Jersey Royals producers. The season began with the crop marketed for the first time by the Jersey Royal Potato Marketing Company (JRPM), a single operation formed from the island’s four marketing desks. However, by the end of the year, a group of growers contracted to JRPM decided to part company with the organisation and go it alone, under the name of Jersey Quality Produce (JQP). With this, and the fact the island has been celebrating 125 years of growing the beloved spud, 2005 was set to be an important year for all.
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ArticleCornwall deliciously dirty
After years of moderate campaigning for Cornish potatoes, the region’s major producers decided to up the ante and three years ago embarked upon a more high-profile marketing campaign for the UK’s earliest potatoes.
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ArticleFlagging up Kent
Growers of new potatoes should urge retail customers to flag up the county of origin on packs, says Adam Ellis-Jones, promotional representative for Kentish Produce. Speaking at the County Show, he said his experience earlier in the year from St Nicholas Court Farms (SNCF) led him to believe local consumer demand offered a great opportunity for the industry.
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Puffin plays Asda’s Welsh tune
Wales’ major potato producer, Puffin Produce Ltd has been working closely with Asda for a number of years, and now has an exclusive arrangement with the company to supply local produce to all of its Welsh stores.
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ArticleMaking all the right moves
For some companies, throwing their lot in with a single retailer could prove to be too big a risk to take, but for potato supplier Branston, it proved to be one of the best moves the company has made. Ed Bedington reports.
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ArticleProphet: potato companies are different
Change can be slow in the potato business. The need to update old systems to meet the challenge of the Millennium Bug created inertia in 2000. Five years on however, companies trying to survive the onslaught on their margins see new software and computer systems as a key strategic choice in their battle to survive.
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ArticlePotato lovers dig for their dinners
MBM held the first of what will become its annual Juliette Dinners on June 21, inviting 30 guests to Porthallow, Cornwall to first dig, and then sample, new Juliette potatoes from its newly launched Potato Lovers brand. Tommy Leighton was there.
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ArticleCostco consistency
Costco operates a chain of cash & carry membership warehouses that sell high-quality, nationally branded and selected private-label merchandise at low prices to businesses purchasing for commercial use or resale. Steve Rangeley, pictured, the company’s UK produce buyer, talks to Tommy Leighton about the importance of potatoes to the business.
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ArticleWilson aims to please
One of the most scenic of Ireland’s 32 counties, Armagh has probably suffered more than most from the Northern Troubles, at least in terms of image. A part of it has been dubbed ‘Bandit Country’, a tag that suggests - unfairly - an area so lawless as to be virtually ungovernable. Anthony Garvey reports.
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ArticleGreenvale Peruses Andes
Through continual research and investment in its potato lines, Greenvale AP continues to expand its portfolio by developing innovative new commercial varieties for the UK market, writes Anabella de Sousa.
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ArticleA bit of singing and dancing
Pan European Potato Enterprise Limited has been slowly establishing itself as an international distributor of numerous seed and potato varieties. Elspeth Waters talks to managing director Juan Castella about his plans for the business.
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ArticleFrench combine field flair with function
How can strong technical know-how be used as the basis for marketing development? French potato group Pom’Alliance thinks it has found the answer and tells Philippe Gautier of its plans for the Amandine variety in the UK.
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ArticleBritish Potato Counsel
Potatoes are purchased by 97 per cent of households in the UK at least once every two weeks. This represents a fantastic base from which the British Potato Council can begin its work to promote the home-grown potato in all its forms, but it does not necessarily make the job an easy one. Tommy Leighton reports.
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ArticleBPC - At your foodservice
Foodservice is the UK’s fourth largest consumer market. Annual sales are estimated at around £30 billion and it is predicted that by 2025, the UK consumer will be spending more on eating out than at home.
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ArticleGrow your own success
In the last 12 months, the British Potato Council created and put its weight behind a scheme that encouraged schoolchildren to learn more about where food and potatoes come from and healthy eating.
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ArticleBritish Potato 2005 - five events in one
British Potato 2005, organised by the British Potato Council (BPC), will be held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from November 30 to December 1 and will attract around 6,000 visitors.