Potato Lovers news

East Midlands Potato Day, Manor Farm, Holbeach Hurn, 5th July 2011

The East Midlands Potato Day 2011 held at Manor Farm, Holbeach Hurn on Tuesday 5th July saw the best attended show to date, with a number of delegates making comment on how well the event had been presented, and a credit to the QV Foods team.

The day got underway with a welcome from Duncan Worth the chairman of QV Foods, followed by McCain Foods‘ regional CEO, Nick Vermont who pinpointed opportunities and challenges for the market and discussed potential responses for the potato grower.

Following on, Asda‘s category director Rick Bourne discussed growth areas within the retailers‘ fresh produce business and how the retailer expects suppliers to act in terms of protocols, quality and costs.

To end the mornings agenda saw the new Potato Council‘s communications manager, Sharon Hall give updates on developments for the new web site and R&D‘s survey "have your say", this was followed by a networking session in the trade stand area followed by lunch.

The afternoon sessions entitled ‘New thoughts for old problems‘ saw delegates split into five groups for the field presentations and discussions, which were presented by the following :

The benefits and pitfalls of Biofumigation : Andy Barker, Barworth Agriculture

Effective defoliation programmes : Stuart Maltby, Frontier

Protecting against Alternaria : Reuben Morris, Frontier

Irrigation scheduling and energy use for cultivations : Eric Anderson, Scottish Agronomy

Pre and post emergence herbicide programmes : John Keer, Richard Austin Agriculture

The afternoon workshops included important technical updates to help growers become more efficient and cost-effective, this was followed by further refreshments and the opportunity to talk to the presenters and visit the trade stands.

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Asda sees prepared future for vegetables

Asda’s category director Rick Bourne singled out prepared fresh produce formats - and prepared potatoes in particular - for an upsurge in demand at the East Midlands Potato Day on Tuesday.

Bourne told delegates at the event held at QV Foods’ Manor Farm that although Asda’s customers were having to make a choice between certain products, mixing their purchases across premium to budget tiers and prioritising what they buy, prepared fresh produce was coming out on top.

“Consumers are prepared to pay for someone else to prepare their vegetables,” he said at the joint QV Foods, Potato Council and McCain sponsored event. “I tried to sell dirty carrots and I couldn’t understand why people weren’t buying them. I was told that people don’t have the time to wash them at the sink.

“I tried to sell naked cucumbers for a while but customers didn’t like it. Loose product has the perception that lots of people have touched it.”

Bourne also revealed that food waste had a huge bearing on what Asda customers buy, with prepared portions offering a feel good factor for the end consumer.

“The £1 price point is important to our customer and is a motivator,” he continued. “It helps people budget but it’s also the right portion, meaning less waste of food in the home.”

Asda sales account for 20 per cent of the prepared potato market, according to Bourne, and he is keen to grow the category.

“Together we can inspire growth for prepared potatoes,” he said. “You have to understand the market.”

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