#LikeShareCook Spuds this National Potato Day!

Bord Bia engages with third level students across the country to revitalise the potato among younger consumers

#NationalPotatoDay #LikeShareCook

To celebrate National Potato Day today, Bord Bia is encouraging people to #LikeShareCook Spuds and help move potatoes from ‘on-the-boil’ to ‘on-line’ in order to drive engagement with younger demographics.

Earlier this year, Bord Bia research identified that generation Z (aged 18 to 23) consumers are interested in tasty, convenient recipes to cook, and appreciate the nutritional information of foods. However,  an information gap exists as they do not believe potatoes are as deserving as other foods to photograph and share online due to a lack of visibility of suitable recipes.

All this week, Bord Bia visited third level campuses around the country to encourage students to visit the potato.ie website for simple recipe inspiration and to share their favourite recipes on social media. The campus tour ends today in UCC.

Speaking at the event, Food Historian, Regina Sexton said:

“I have long been fascinated by the cultural history of potatoes in Ireland. It’s really intriguing to see in recent years how a number of traditional Irish foods like oats and some ancient grain varieties been become popular again as consumers realise their nutritional value. Potatoes would be a well-deserving food to join this group as people become more aware of their nutritional benefits. I believe that this Bord Bia campaign is really worthwhile in celebrating this nutritional ingredient that has so much cultural and culinary significance in Ireland and I'm sure it will encourage people to share the potato dishes that they love online.”

The Bord Bia research identified a number of ways to make potatoes more relevant to generation Z consumers. This included providing potato recipes that are attractive on Instagram and have a ‘modern twist’; providing cooking information, new recipes and information on how potatoes can feature in batch cooking. Also highlighted, was the role of potatoes in the fitness world and the dietary fibre contribution and versatility of the product.

As part of the National Potato Day campaign, Bord Bia this week visited UCD, NUIM, NUIG and UCC where students were given a ‘Potato Survival Kit’ which included time saving tips, nutritional advice, simple potato recipes, handy video links and some fresh potatoes to cook.

Lorcan Bourke, Fresh Produce & Potato Manager Bord Bia said, “We know that Irish people love their spuds but our research identified barriers to potato purchase including a lack of awareness of the ease of preparation and nutritional benefits.  Potatoes were often associated with traditional cooking methods, with generation Z consumers unaware of their multicultural and international usage. This campaign aims to address this information gap by connecting with students and younger demographics.”

In addition to the student campus activity, a number of events are happening around the country to celebrate National Potato Day including an appearance at the Dingle Food Festival in partnership with Feile an Phráta and Bord Bia on October 5th.  

#LikeShareCook Competition

Bord Bia is running a competition to encourage consumers to #LikeShareCook their favourite potato recipe to be in with a chance to win one of a range of €250 shopping vouchers. To enter people must create their favourite potato-based recipe; share a picture of it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #NationalPotatoDay and tagging @bordbia.  

Recipes and Information
With more than 140 potato recipes to choose from, Bord Bia’s Potato.ie website is brimming with ideas and offers something for everyone. With breakfast and brunch options such as Mexican Huevos Rancheros and Potato Pancake with Smashed Avocado and Smoked Salmon; lunch dishes like Atlantic Seafood Chowder and Asian spiced Potato Crab Cakes with Rainbow Slaw; and dinner favourites including a Hot Wok Potato and Beef Stir-Fry and Light Massaman Chicken and Potato Curry.

For further information on National Potato Day and to access recipes, cookery tips, blogs and videos visit www.potato.ie.