Finland: Kesco's Pirkka potato award shortlisted
The jury's comments about the potato were: "An ingenious novelty in its simplicity, capable of boosting the consumption of Finnish potatoes. An energy efficient way to bake potatoes quickly even for a single portion. It truly saves the day. The potatoes are sizeable enough and they taste good in the traditional way. The product is in line with the global megatrend emphasizing natural foods."
"We are very pleased with our finalist placement. Our cooperation with Potwell is an ideal example of the kind of development work we have had with small suppliers, and of how good Finnish product innovations are made to contribute to Finnish well-being," says Kesko Food's Juha Andelin, responsible for the Pirkka product range.
"The Pirkka microwave ready potato is an ideal example of a "from the field to the table" product. The product development engaged the farmer, the manufacturer, the seller and the trading sector in close cooperation aiming to create a tasty, good quality and further processed oven potato to help today's time-pressed consumers cook healthy food quickly and conveniently," says Teppo Vetoniemi, Managing Director of Potwell.
The winner of the 2012 Star Product of the Year contest will be decided on 8 May 2012, based half on the expert jury's evaluation and half on public vote. The public can vote for the winner on the website of The Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation, ETL, and on Facebook on 27 March-15 April 2012.
Source: www.reuters.com
