Italian new potatoes supplied by Branston were available on the shelves of 400 Tesco stores at the end of October. The season will run for five weeks and is the last seasonal new potato of the calendar year.
“Our research shows that shoppers engage with new season potatoes as they appreciate their fluffy skins and fresh taste,” said George Christoudias, sales and marketing director at Branston.
“In season from late October new potatoes from Italy are a highlight in the seasonal calendar. Renowned for their creamy texture, Italian potatoes are a new potato that will bring back memories of summertime with their light flavor.”
Italian farmer Giuseppe Distaso is a third-generation potato grower and his family’s company has been growing potatoes in the Puglia region of Italy’s sunny south east since 1910. They’re grown along a ten-mile strip of coastline, in free-draining sandy soil and harvested by hand to protect their delicate skins.
Distaso said: “The Italian climate in the late summer is perfect for planting new potatoes, while here in the UK we’re busy harvesting and eating ours. By October they’re ready to harvest and ship over to be enjoyed at their best.”
Branston will produce and package more than 300 tons of the crop for the major retailer, with shoppers able to purchase the seasonal spud loose or in a 750g bag.
