January 2020 - 12

AF4659-12 Pinto Gold line from the University of Maine. Photos: William Lamont Jr.
Various colored flesh potatoes.
Specialty potatoes spurred by efforts of partners
By William J. Lamont Jr.
VGN Correspondent
Penn State University Professor
Emeritus
Specialty potatoes are distinctive from
the standard potato varieties commonly
found in the marketplace.
They may have a unique skin color
such as deep purple or apricot or mottled
colors, or the inside flesh color may be
white, shades of red, purple or varying
degrees of yellow or orange or a swirl or
mixture of colors. An older yellow flesh
variety, such as Yukon Gold, which in the
United States is considered a specialty
potato because of its flesh color, is the
standard fare in European homes.
Specialty potatoes can also be a redskinned
potato with a white flesh that
is unique because of its size such as Red
Pearl or Villetta Rose from the University
of Wisconsin's potato breeding program
that produces 78% B-size potatoes or
has a distinctive shape as in the case of
fingerling potatoes.
An important consideration in
promoting any kind of potato and
especially specialties is to include a
statement as to what are the best uses for
the potato being sold. This will be a big
help to the consumer and is indeed an
area that needs to be explored more fully
if we are to increase the sales of specialty
potatoes for the fresh market.
The consuming public has become
more perceptive and creative in how
they choose their food such that color,
texture and taste have become important
characteristics in choosing new food
items. Consumers are demanding more
choices in size, color, taste and packaging
of fresh vegetables including potatoes.
New specialty potato varieties are
currently in high demand by restaurants
and in an increasing number of large
and small retail markets; and it appears
that relatively high returns are possible
with these specialty potatoes. There
also have been many articles appearing
in popular gardening publications and
food sections in newspapers that have
featured specialty potatoes and this has
increased the interest in and demand
for these potatoes. Once considered
food for the poor, potatoes are currently
quite fashionable and the fare of many
an elegant dinner party. The dinner
guests may be treated to golden nuggets
of Yukon Gold surrounding a perfectly
prepared entree or steamed slices of
pretty pink Adirondack Red.
Challenges and opportunities
'To develop a demand for or a
following for these potatoes at your
market will require the same approach
that you would use to introduce any
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January 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2020
