The UK retailer has introduced ‘best of season’ potato packs as it looks to make greater use of a broader range of homegrown varieties
In an effort to maintain British potatoes on its shelves year-round, the UK’s Co-op has launched new ‘best of season’ packs categorised by cooking method, featuring Roasting, Mashing, Baking, Salad and Everyday.
Each pack will contain one variety – carefully selected for its suitability for the method of cooking – that will change throughout the seasons, ensuring only the best quality potato in-season is included. The varieties are set to include Jelly, Tyson, Karelia and Maris Piper.
The move was welcomed by industry body GB Potatoes, as farmers face big ongoing challenges, including continued cost pressures.
“The new approach recognises that some long-established varieties no longer deliver consistent quality year-round and can be difficult to grow reliably in the UK, contributing to many retailers relying on imports from overseas,” the Co-op stated. “Switching to newer and more diverse varieties supports UK growers to be able to benefit from higher yields, fewer inputs or improved resistance to pests and disease, whilst ensuring the quality for Co-op customers and supporting the domestic food supply chain, whose resilience is vital.”
Alex Godfrey, chair of GB Potatoes, commented: “The move by Co-op recognises the quality of British-grown potatoes and supports the long-term sustainability and profitability of UK potato production. With potatoes offering versatility and excellent value for money, helping consumers understand that different varieties are suited to different uses is a positive step that will strengthen the category.”
“We recognise that UK growers have been under pressure in recent years,” added Scott Saunders, Co-op’s senior buying manager for potatoes. ”By switching to newer, more resilient British varieties and focusing on how potatoes are used, we can offer more consistent quality, reduce waste for our members and customers, as well as offer greater flexibility for growers.”
At its best, Maris Piper will be used for the new Roasting packs until newer varieties like Tyson and Karelia come online. White varieties that are recognised for their versatility across multiple cooking methods will make up the Everyday packs.
The launch comes off the back of a year of extensive in-store trials and taste panels with shoppers, as Co-op worked closely with its supplier, Greenvale, to “rigorously test quality, flavour and performance”.
“Towards the end of the season, potato quality can become less reliable, and retailers often rely more heavily on imports for more specific named varieties, while waiting for the new crop to be ready,” noted Sean Liddell, growing manager at Greenvale. ”By embracing newer varieties, we can allow for greater flexibility and ensure shoppers enjoy consistently good quality UK-grown potatoes all year round.”
