CONSUMER INTEREST in National Chip Week (Feb 14-20) will help boost demand for potatoes, says the British Potato Council.

The publicity campaign, backed by potato merchants, processors, caterers, fish and chip shops, and major retailers aims to promote the nutritional value of chips and boost potato demand, organisers said.

“During previous campaigns fish and chip shops reported sale increases of up to 33% while caterers and pubs saw demand for chips swell weeks after the promotion,” said the BPC‘s Kathryn Race.

The main focus of the week is on British fish and chip shops which use around 600,000 tonnes of potatoes, 98% of which are Maris Piper, the BPC said.

“Last year just under half of chip shop owners said sales increased by between 1 and 15% and we are hoping to beat this during this year‘s campaign,” added assistant marketing manager, Kay Hogg.

Further information on the campaign is available at www.lovechips.co.uk.