Changing consumer tastes and how a greater focus on healthy food has had an impact on the eating habits in the western world will be at the centre of the World Potato Congress in March.
The implications for the potato industry will be explored at the event in New Zealand.
Lauraine Jacobs, world-renowned food writer and editor of Cuisine magazine, will address the delegates on changing consumer tastes and what this means for the industry.
Terry Olsen, grower and the chair of the seventh World Potato Congress Organising Committee, insists the consumer perspective is important.
He said: “Consumer tastes are constantly changing and for a sector like ours, it is vital we understand what consumers think and feel about our product.
“Lauraine knows the consumer inside out. Expect her to pick trends and issues that we need to prepare for if we are to grow potato consumption.”
The World Potato Congress, from March 22-25, will be hosted by Potatoes New Zealand, the organisation that represents the country’s 300 potato growers.
The conference theme - Nourishing Our Future - will encompass the latest world developments in crop management, environment and energy issues, food and non-food processing, consumer trends and food safety and quality.
The event will give growers, processors, seed producers, and researchers to discuss issues, learn about advancements in the sector and network.
Other speakers will include Dr Andrew Fearne, of the Centre for Supply Chain Research at Kent Business School, Dr Kristian Moeller, managing director of GlobalGAP, Martin Kneebone, from Freshlogic.com, and Dr Jim Salinger, an international climate change expert and principal scientist at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
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