Phase II of the ëThe Potato ñ From Plough to Plate' website (www.waitrose.com/potatoes) has been launched to the public with two events organised by Solanum ñ one of the UK's leading potato suppliers ñ and Waitrose.
Traceability of both conventional and organic potatoes is the key focus of Phase II and allows consumers to get closer to the products origin. By simply entering the traceability number printed on the packaging, consumers are able to find out where their potatoes were grown along with details and a photo of the farmer.
Peter Cooke, buyer at Waitrose, said: “Our customers are constantly demanding greater information about the produce they buy. With the edition of Phase II, the website educates adults and children alike as to how Solanum ensures that its potatoes reach consumers in prime condition and where exactly they have come from.”
Waitrose customers were invited on board the British Potato Council (BPC) double decker bus at both the Salisbury and Norwich stores to view the website and have some fun tracing their potatoes.
They also had the opportunity to taste freshly cooked Carlingford new potatoes and ask Solanum personnel questions relating to varieties of potatoes available in store, cooking suggestions and sourcing of locally grown products.
“We are delighted to be working in conjunction with Solanum on this project and figures show that the site is being used more and more. Our aim has always been to educate our consumers, and we believe that ëThe Plough to Plate' website achieves this in an informative and fun way,” concluded Cooke.
The initial phase of the site has been successful, illustrated by consumer trials that found that 74 per cent of respondents said they were likely to use the site in the future and would recommend it to a friend or family member.
Solanum, part of the Produce World group of companies, is one of the UK's leading suppliers of potatoes handling over 250,000 tonnes of potatoes.
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