Alliance for Potato Research & Education

Today we wrap up our conversation with Frank Van Schaayk, Regional CEO for McCain Foods who says that the potato industry has not done a good job in promoting the health benefits of the potato or that French fries are not the root of all food evils. From the Adkins Diet to celebrity chefs, Van Schaayk says the potato has not received a fair shake.

VAN SCHAAYK: And of course Jamie Oliver, my favorite guy and really made life difficult for our folks in the UK. Some of you may have seen his food revolution last March and April where he vehemently cried, “A French fry is not a vegetable!” We’re ignoring the fact that French fries are made from potatoes. These events along with misinformed recommendations from nutrition professionals all this stuff drives consumer opinion and has contributed to the negative perception surrounding fries and potatoes.

And of course that results in decreased consumption. Studies show that when people stop eating French fries they are not replacing them with any other kind of potatoes.

VAN SCHAAYK: So the bad news is the problem is not going to go away on its own, it’s not going to go away easily, it’s not going to go away fast. The good news is we’re in this together and with the right amount of focus and determination we can reverse the negative perceptions and the negative sales trends. I fundamentally believe that to my core.

Van Schaayk is asking the industry to pull together to get the message out.

VAN SCHAAYK: Here’s the proposal to succeed in reversing the negative trends affecting all of us we need to inspire people to re-imagine potatoes and French fries. Re-imagine them. We can do this by empowering people with the real story of these great foods and the role they play in a balanced diet. We have a wonderful substrate that we work with to make our products. It is ludicrous that we can’t tell a positive story about it. By educating people with the facts we will allow them to see potatoes and French fries in a whole new light and not be afraid of them.

By pulling the industry together he hopes to succeed in changing the conception of potatoes.

VAN SCHAAYK: We’re very excited about the effort we’ve managed to get off the ground so far, the five leading potato processors along with the U.S. Potato Board and the National Potato Council have committed to this important goal as founding members of the Alliance for Potato Research and Education. As you can imagine the support of these organizations is critical to achieving the alliances mission…to champion the potato.

Visit their website at potatoeducation.org.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.