Potato News from United Kingdom

Walkers, the number one UK brand in the crisps, snacks and nuts category , is creating excitement with the launch of new Walkers Market Deli – an innovative range of pita, tortilla and classic potato chips that aims to bring home the variety of flavours from across Europe and the UK.

Seabrook Crisps is launching a range of Straight Cut crisps into the Impulse channel following demand from fans to bring back the format, which was last on the shelves a decade ago

McCain Foods GB will be and official supplier of Tour de France 2014, which starts with an opening stage in Yorkshire.

Herbert Engineering, market leaders in handling systems for the agricultural, fresh pack and process industries, has invested in a new state-of-the-art laser cutting machine to increase manufacturing efficiencies and produce highly accurate component parts.

Researchers at the Universities of Dundee and Aberdeen have made a breakthrough in understanding how the microbial spores which cause potato blight are so effective at infecting plants.

Summer is the perfect season for a laidback lunch in the sun and what could be a better accompaniment for a BBQ or al fresco dining than a bowl of tasty, fresh new potatoes. This summer treat yourself to the freshest and best with Freshly harvested Ayrshire and East Lothian Potatoes available from Tesco stores in Scotland.

Leading UK potato supplier, Greenvale is strengthening its marketing team with the appointment of two new members of staff, Tracey Mattock who takes on the role of Marketing Manager, and Kate Wright who is the new Category Insight Manager.

In Northern Ireland, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and CAFRE, Greenmount Campus has issued the first potato blight warning for 2014.

Tong Peal has appointed Ian Evison in a newly created after sales position at its national headquarters.

Modern cooks too lazy to peel a potato - leaving a farmer losing £70 on every tonne of spuds he grows

Herbert Engineering has added significant new features to their Oculus optical sorter, which will enable growers and packers to achieve superior quality product with increased accuracy in the detection of defects tubers.

The newly introduced Variclean from Herbert Engineering has eased the problem of lifting in heavy conditions for many potato growers over the past two winters.

Tong Peal, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of agricultural handling and grading equipment, will be showcasing the latest version of its market-leading Caretaker (potato) grader at Cereals 2014.

Earlier this month Heinz was fined for serious safety failings after an engineer had his hand severed when it became trapped in live, unguarded machinery (peeler slurry pump) at its Norfolk plant.

Leatherhead Food Research is delighted to announce the appointment of Alice Cadman as Head of Business Development & Marketing, starting 27 May 2014

In the United Kingdom, many potato crops are now emerging well - straight into conditions that pose a high risk of blight.

McCain Foods UK is giving away thousands of Brazilian-themed limited edition Wedges sharing bowls free with two packs of McCain Wedges to drive volume, frequency of purchase and grow the frozen potato category this summer.

A vision for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) was outlined by the Food and Farming Minister George Eustice and the new AHDB chairman Peter Kendall when they addressed AHDB employees.