Farmers launch spuds campaign

Farmers today launched a campaign to encourage young people to eat less pasta and more potatoes.

The trend for pasta as a replacement for potatoes coincided with many younger people missing out on vital nutrients like iron and potassium, the Potato Council said.

Those aged 19 to 35 living together in "pre-families" were now 27 per cent less likely to use potatoes when cooking simple adult meals than the average British household, according to a study by the Oxford Partnership in February.

Meanwhile, women aged 19 to 35 were not consuming enough iron and potassium to meet recommended levels, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey found.

The council said one portion of potatoes could provide up to 19 per cent of the recommended daily iron. Pa- sta supplied seven per cent.Nutritionist Fiona Hunter said: "Many people may be surprised to know potatoes offer more nutrients for your money compared to rice or pasta.

"Aside from iron, potatoes are also packed with potassium which may help to lower blood pressure and is necessary in helping to control the balance of fluids in the body.

"Although technically not a vegetable, a portion of potatoes also contains more vitamin C than an apple and vitamins B6 and B1 plus folate."

Model Nell McAndrew who is supporting the Love Potatoes campaign, said: "Potatoes are packed full of nutrients, are naturally fat free, low in calories."

The Love Potatoes initiative will drive wider awareness of the natural benefits of potatoes, at a time when living costs are rising and health remains high on the agenda.

Potato Council marketing director Kathryn Race said: "This campaign aims to reconnect families with potatoes by demonstrating their nutritional benefits over rice and pasta."