Irish consumers are encouraged to ensure that the potatoes they enjoy - at home or from the chip shop - are locally grown this National Potato Day, taking place on Friday, October 7.
Recent research has shown that two in three Irish people assume that the potatoes used to make the majority of chipper chips come from Ireland when, in fact, the vast majority of chipping potatoes are imported. Bord Bia, Teagasc, the Irish Farmers' Association, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the last few years have joined forces to increase the volume of home-grown potatoes being produced by Irish growers for sale in Irish chip shops.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Pippa Hackett said that sourcing local produce really supports Irish farmers. Also, more and more consumers want to know where their food comes from.
Bord Bia fresh produce and potato manager Lorcan Bourke said that their research indicates that consumers prefer freshly cut chipper chips from locally grown potatoes. "This National Potato Day, we are encouraging consumers to ask about the country of origin of the potatoes used to cook the chips they consume from their local chipper and at home," Bourke said.
Source: irishexaminer.com