Eco-Spuds™ Blog

Slimming Down the Spud

Profit Magazine, May 2004

Timber River, N.B. — You've been under a rock if you haven't heard of the Atkin's diet, a low-carbohydrate weight-loss plan that banishes bread, pasta and potatoes. Sure it works, but nutritionists don't love it — nor do Maritime potato farmers, whose storage barns are filled with heaps of unwanted spuds.

Full of vitamin C, potassium and fibre, potatoes are getting a bad rap, says the P.E.I. Potato Board, which has responded by doubling its advertising budget to $800,000.

Still, some farmers are taking matters into their own hands. Pirmin Kummer, owner of Timber River Eco Farms, decided if he can't beat the low-carb craze, he'll join it. In March, he had two of his less starchy potato strains tested, and just as he suspected, they contain up to 30% fewer carbs than traditional Russets or Yukon Golds.

His potatoes, currently available only in New Brunswick, will soon be stamped "low-carb". The plan is to export them to retailers in Ontario and the West by September. Thanks to the media attention Kummer has received it should be an easy sell: "This has really put us on [the] map."

— Kim Shiffman