Potato Council
supporting the British potato industry
International Year of the Potato BPC Urges Industry Support
Press release: 01/11/2007
Potatoes are one of the world’s most important crops; a highly regarded food staple, not least in the developing countries. And their role around the world is set to be even more significant as 2008 has officially been declared the International Year of the Potato.
Launched at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, the International Year of the Potato (IYP) will focus on the importance of the potato in providing food security and alleviating poverty. The British Potato Council (BPC) has pledged its support for the year-long event and is highlighting the great opportunities it offers the UK potato industry.
The year will play a major role in the BPC’s marketing activity as it continues to promote the health and nutritional benefits of potatoes. One of the main audiences for IYP is young people and in particular, school children and this is where the BPC is already making extensive headway.
The hugely successful ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ project is currently being rolled out to primary schools across the country. Now in its third year, this fun, hands-on activity brings learning to life and helps primary school children learn about potatoes; how they grow, where they come from and their role in a healthy balanced diet.
BPC marketing director, Kathryn Race, said: “Last year 4,000 schools took part in Grow Your Own Potatoes, this year we hope to reach some 250,000 children. The project is already supported by a wealth of educational resources for teachers but to celebrate the International Year of the Potato we’ll also be making more worksheets available that link subjects such as geography and history, as well as encouraging awareness of the need for other nations to grow potatoes.
“Growers are a key part of Grow Your Own Potatoes and activities such as school presentations and farm visits have meant that the project really connects with children. We organise a number of regional harvesting events which farmers can get involved with – and next year we will look at opportunities to link these in with the theme of International Year of the Potato. In fact our Grow Your Own project has been so successful that the UN has launched a similar campaign modelled on ours.”
Demand for potatoes is growing; world potato production has increased annually by 4.5% over the last ten years. The International Year of the Potato is a perfect opportunity to promote the versatility, health and nutrition benefits of potatoes - and it’s one that growers, producers and packers really shouldn’t miss.
The BPC will be acting as the UK press office for the International Year of the Potato and as such, will be linking in with IYP activity to positively encourage the public to eat more potatoes while raising the profile of the British potato industry. Plans are being finalised but there are a number of strategies being considered.
Kathryn said: “We have been advised that the IYP logo can be used for promotional activity. In addition, the BPC’s promotional vehicle can be taken on tour to help raise awareness of the year directly with consumers and children, and there is further potential for dedicated stands at County and Agricultural shows. We will also look to utilise and develop IYP activity such as the creation of international recipes and potato events. Regular updates and further information will be available from the dedicated IYP pages on all of the BPC’s websites.
“The International Year of the Potato will undoubtedly raise the profile of potatoes around the world. To ensure that the UK is recognised as one of the market leaders while maximising opportunities for British potatoes it is important that the industry joins together in supporting this initiative.”
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The International Year of the Potato (IYP) was initially declared by the government of Peru and motioned by the UN. The year-long event will focus on the importance of the potato in providing food security and alleviating poverty. The International Year of the Potato was officially launched at United Nations headquarters in New York on 18 October 2007. For more information visit www.potato2008.org.
