Around 95% of the potatoes eaten in Friesland come from elsewhere, despite the Province’s huge agricultural sector
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Farmers must have direct contact with supermarkets to support local producers and help people eat local, says Pyt Sipma, a farmer from Engwierum (Noardeast-Fryslân). Sipma is one of the founders of a project to support local farmers. As reported by the Omrop Fryslân.
Sipma points to the fact that around 95% of all potatoes eaten in the Province come from elsewhere, even though there are plenty of potato farmers in Friesland. Lots of food that is brought to the Province travels long distances, or is processed and stored many kilometres away.
“It’s an experience, that’s what makes these potatoes so good. You have a similar thing with beer and wine, if you know the story then you have a connection to it”, says Sipma.
The farmer is now working with the so-called Fijldlab, a collaborative organization aiming to strengthen the ‘circular economy’ in the North-East of Friesland. Durk Durksz is the project leader, and he hopes that supermarkets will buy in to the idea of local sourcing: “it’s even cheaper for supermarkets to use local farmers”, he said.
A series of meetings have already been set up by the organization. “Products that sit in shops come from around the world, but here we’ve got people growing outstanding potatoes, that we use for animal feed! It’s too crazy for words”, said Durksz.
Image by Charles Rondeau via PublicDomainPictures. Public realm.
