Agricultores en el exterior aprenden origen de la papa

Cornish growers invited to Eden Project

Cornish potato growers headed to the Celebration of Food and Farmers at the Eden Project last month, alongside the procurement, agronomy and marketing teams at Branston.Eight growers who supply Tesco with some of the earliest new potatoes showcased their freshly harvested crops.More than 10,000 people visited the three-day event, from June 20, including hundreds of schoolchildren on the first day.The celebration was organised by the Cornwall Agri-Food Council and supported by Branston, as well as a number of other food and farming organisations. The Branston team taught visitors about the history of the potato and its origins in Peru, and highlighted the nutritious and versatile nature of the vegetable, as well as the importance of potatoes to the local Cornish economy and the different varieties available.More than 500 suggested names were entered into a competition to name Branston’s latest potato – currently known as 00.H.14 A3 – and the winner will be announced soon.Hugh Donovan, Branston’s South West procurement manager, said: “We always enjoy talking to consumers about potatoes, and this was a great way to educate them about how versatile and nutritious they are. It was also good to be able to tell people about the important role farming plays in the South West and how our growers produce their Cornish varieties.”Grower Andrew White of S&W Potatoes, who attended the event, added: “A lot of people take potatoes and other food sources for granted, and don’t know the hard work that goes into producing them. This celebration was the ideal opportunity for us to talk to consumers about their food and raise awareness of the importance of supporting local lines and eating fresh fruit and vegetables. We had a great deal of interest, especially from children, and hope they’ll grow up eating great Cornish produce.”