The mission of European project Potatoes Forever is to guarantee food safety and traceability while at the same time promoting the produce to assure the best conditions to producers so that they can tackle price increases.
"To generate value within a chain, you need to start from informing stakeholders - consumers and retailers in this case - so more recognition is guaranteed to growers," reports Fausto Bosca (in the photo), director at UNAPA.
Potatoes Forever is a European project conducted by UNAPA (Unione Nazionale tra le Associazioni dei Produttori di Patate) and CNIPT (Comité National Interprofessionnel de la Pomme de Terre) that has the dual objective of stimulating the currently-stable potato consumption in Europe and informing consumers as regards the good agronomic practices employed by professionals to achieve sustainable cultivation.
"If we were to wonder about the perception consumers have of potatoes, they would definitely be trustful but, if we were to ask them if they know how they are grown, they would not be able to answer. Our aim is therefore to start precisely from informing consumers.
How is the Potatoes Forever campaign evolving?
"The project will last three years and it started in June 2023 with a series of communication actions on multiple levels, from social media to the involvement of influencers. What is more, the objectives of our projects are also promoted thanks to the interest of the media. Promotional islands will be set up in November in big retail chain stores, where consumers will be able to learn more about the Potatoes Forever project."
What is the Potatoes Forever project doing to make potato cultivation sustainable?
"Our aim is to create a virtuous circular economy system eliminating chemical inputs, reducing waste and consumption, supporting entrepreneurs and safeguarding the natural eco-systems of the various Italian production areas, reassuring consumers about the origin of products and food safety."
"We are introducing varieties resistant to biotic stresses so as to reduce chemical inputs and interventions, thus redirecting production towards techniques with a low environmental impact. For some time, we have been privileging varieties with a long dormancy period to improve shelf-life and preserve organoleptic qualities in the long period. We want to reduce water consumption during both production and processing and are focusing on drip irrigation, plus we are introducing potato brushing in warehouses rather than washing. There would be multiple benefits in this case: lower water consumption, longer shelf-life in stores and less soil wasted. We are also acting to limit food waste, as unsuitable grades are destined to the fresh-cut, ready-to-eat or frozen product industry, while potatoes not suitable for commercialization can be destined to biodigesters to obtain methane or become animal feed."
Thanks to its associates located in various parts of Italy, UNAPA can supply fresh potatoes 12 months a year. Harvesting begins in Sicily in late February with new potatoes, the it is the turn of Campania and Puglia between May and June, central Italy in July, Fucino in August and Sila in November. Some southern regions still plant leap-year varieties, a niche product that is harvested in January.
"We also care about the landscape, and favor natural biodiversity in the various cultivation areas to maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem at risk of being spoiled by intensive agronomic practices."
For further information: potatoesforever.eu/it/