Food Fight and Potatoes Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Recently drafted recommendations call for greater intake of plant-based foods while limiting consumption of red meat and vegetables like potatoes.
National Potato Council CEO, Kam Quarles says whether it’s nutritional, environmental, or whatever, it reminds us just how important it is that these federal government processes be tethered to science …
QUARLES … “Once you start injecting your personal values and opinions and, you know, kind of your cultural norms of what you see and believing that your food comes from a grocery store instead of actually coming from a farm, all of this, to my mind, kind of flies off the axel.”
Quarles says we need to get back on track …
QUARLES … “Having a science-based process is incredibly important and we’ve kind of stumbled away from that in several iterations and I don’t think it’s to the American public’s benefit and I certainly don’t think it’s to the farmers benefit.”
And, Quarles says, let’s not forget the consumers …
QUARLES … “In terms of their nutrient volume and value for the price there’s basically nothing that can beat a potato. They’re incredible storehouses of nutrition at a very reasonable price.”
Quarles says if this gets passed on to the Trump Administration, that could mean a fresh set of eyes and possible changes to these recommendations.
