EDMONTON – Patricia McAllister says direct marketers have the advantage of knowing their customers and can sell a variety by name.
“That’s something the supermarkets don’t want. They want red, yellow, white or Russet. They don’t want customers to know what it is,” the Alberta Agriculture seed potato specialist said.
“Russet Norkotah tastes like dirt. It is the worst potato I feel has ever been marketed in North America and I will not eat it. Yet you’re being encouraged to grow it because it looks nice. It does not even boil well. Yet that’s what the supermarkets are selling.”
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McAllister said she gets calls from consumers who complain that the chemicals producers spray on their crop make it taste bad.
“That’s not what makes it taste bad. It’s the breeder who should roll over in his grave for releasing such a crappy tasting potato. Yet that is the No. 1 potato coming out of Washington for fresh use.”
Grade standards are everything, she said. The smaller the package, the better the quality has to be. Consumers might accept a few mistakes in a 100 pound bag, she added, but every one in a three lb. bag must be perfect.
“Dare to be different from your grocery store. Use your advantage and grow varieties that taste good. Sell your customer on their qualities, educate your customer on the qualities of the varieties and make sure you’re not selling something you wouldn’t eat,” McAllister said.
“Everyone has different tastes. Some like a wet potato, others like a drier potato. Use that to your advantage. Have people come back to you for a specific variety that you know they can’t get somewhere else. The supermarkets used to market five varieties, but they’re a long way away from that now.”
