The potato industry in PEI is excited to celebrate the inaugural International Day of Potato. In December 2023, the UN General Assembly proclaimed May 30 as the International Day of Potato. Potatoes are eaten by more than one billion people around the world and are an important food source and the province of Prince Edward Island is uniquely aware of the importance of potatoes.
The first commercial crop of potatoes was grown in PEI in 1790. Since then, PEI potatoes have served as an economic engine for the province. Its potatoes have reached the shores of five of the seven continents, including some 44 countries--or up to 25 percent of the world. There are over 5,000 varieties of potatoes grown worldwide, and over 75 varieties grown on PEI.
The province's rich history contributes to the PEI potato brand, with everything from songs written about them, to pop culture references and more. Its farms are family-owned with many families growing potatoes for more than four generations.
Many of PEI's potato farms are family-owned with many families growing potatoes for more than four generations.
While growing potatoes has changed dramatically over the years, one thing remains the same – the province's care for the land. Improved farming practices and embracing technology have helped to cement its position in the industry. Potatoes are a key part of food security around the world, and are now the third most consumed food, globally, after rice and wheat. They allow for more production on less land, are a healthy and nutrition-rich vegetable, and are naturally efficient users of water, producing more calories per liter of water than most other staple crops.
There were many worldwide advocates to establish this day, including the World Potato Congress (WPC), headquartered in PEI. The general manager of the PEI Potato Board, Greg Donald, also serves as WPC Treasurer. "We celebrate potatoes every day on PEI, but we are so happy to see International Day of Potato come to fruition and the global support come together to commemorate the most important crop we have," says Donald.
In 2024, the province celebrates the first International Day of Potato by focusing on the contribution of the potato to the lives of producers and consumers with the timely theme: harvesting diversity, feeding hope.
For more information:
Kendra Mills
Prince Edward Island Potato Board
Tel: +1 (902) 892-6551
[email protected]
www.peipotato.org
https://www.fao.org/international-potato-day/en