Ivar Tomas Høgset from Røvassdalen in Nordland has been producing potatoes since 2009. When he was to deliver 60 tonnes of ready-to-eat potatoes to the local packing plant this spring, he was told that there were problems with the appearance of the potatoes. – They said there was a visible start of growing. This resulted in a refusal, says Høgset. NOT GOOD ENOUGH QUALITY: Do you see the white dot on the right side of the potato? It is a healing. Høgset says that grows like this are the reason why he could not sell his potatoes to the grocery chains. Photo: Privat The “ugly” potatoes remain 60 tonnes of potatoes may sound like a lot, but Høgset emphasizes that it is nothing if you look at how much potatoes are sorted out nationwide. – With the current focus on food waste and sustainability, it is really a disaster. – Potatoes that have already been produced in Norway are imported. And which is thrown away, says a despairing Høgset. The potato farmer has been involved in production for 14 years, but the rejection made him decide to close down the operation. SUSTAINABILITY: Ivar Tomas Sørrødvann Høgset thinks both the industry and consumers should focus more on sustainability and food waste. Photo: Ann Kristin Kjærnli / RanaNO Great mobilization After the cold shower at the packing plant was mentioned by both Rana Blad, Rana.no and VG, the local population flocked to the farm. Within a few days, Høgset sold two tonnes of the potatoes. – Most people shake their heads. They arrive at the farm and see the potatoes in the storage boxes. They don’t understand the berry, quite simply, says Høgset. – The support I have received from the local population is absolutely fantastic, he adds. But then something else happened. Several local shops in the home municipality contacted with a desire to sell Høgset’s potatoes throughout the Helgeland region. It is a superb solution, according to the potato farmer. At the same time, he is clear that there is a solution to a small problem on a national scale. – I really want to shift the focus to the general problem. On a national basis, there is a great deal of vegetables and foodstuffs that are discarded because of their appearance. Can understand the quality requirements Potato producers must follow the quality requirements set by Gartnerhallen and BAMA. These quality requirements include assessment of internal and external damage, foreign taste or smell, firmness, color and size. Høgset says he understands that the quality requirements set by wholesalers and grocery chains are so high. – It is, after all, a consumer pattern. These quality requirements have not been pulled out of thin air, says the potato farmer. – After all, it is the “ugly” potatoes that are left in the store. Høgset believes that as consumers we should become more aware that the potato does not need to be washed, polished and sealed in a plastic bag to be edible. – I understand that, but more information is needed. Would you buy this potato? Yes No I don’t eat potatoes Show result Requirements set by demand Høgset is a member of Gartnerhallen, a producer organization owned by just over 1,000 Norwegian vegetable producers. Organization manager Gunn Jorunn Sørum says Gartnerhallen experiences a great commitment to food waste among its members. – There are farmers who put in an incredible amount of effort to grow the food. Then it is natural that they want as much as possible to be used specifically for food, and to reach the consumer. GREAT COMMITMENT: Gartnerhallen’s members account for approximately 65 per cent of Norwegian vegetable production. Organization manager Gunn Jørunn Sørum says there is a great commitment to food waste among the members. Photo: Julie Lunde Lillesæter / Differ Media Sørum says Gartnerhallen is working to increase production on a national basis and that there are strict requirements for producers. – These are requirements based on experience and what you see consumers asking for and choosing in the store. We must comply with these requirements. – Is it problematic that there are such strict requirements when working to produce more in Norway? – I think that the requirements that are set are something that you have to work on continuously. It is most important that we are aware and ensure that the requirements set at all times are as correct as possible, based on the circumstances and assumptions that are in place, says Sørum. Bama: – Fully edible On Bama’s website we can read that it is not a problem to eat potatoes with sprouts, as long as the potato is not green or has green parts. Nevertheless, BAMA does not want potatoes with sprouts the size of a pin head. – As you can see in the pictures here, the potato has visible growth. For us, this has a lot to say, partly because we depend on taking into account temperature and light, which quickly lead to further germination, transport, storage time in the store, and shelf life with the consumer. That’s what communications director Pia Gulbrandsen says at BAMA Gruppen AS. DON’T THROW AWAY: Around 30 per cent of the potatoes that come to BAMA are not sold to shops or commercial kitchens, but Gulbrandsen says nothing is thrown away: – The rest goes to industrial processing, alcohol and starch. Photo: Pressefoto / BAMA Gulbrandsen goes on to say that these potatoes should have been sold early in autumn last year, but that the remodeling of the packing plant meant that it was not possible to sell the potatoes while the skin was of sufficient quality. – We understand that this is a boring situation for the manufacturer, but at the same time we expect that their conversion was a one-off event that will not affect future deliveries. Still shutting down Even though Høgset is now able to sell off part of the potatoes, he is going to shut down production anyway. With expenses on plant protection, fertiliser, seed potatoes and hired labour, he estimates that there is still a long way to go until he has recouped the loss of half a million kroner. He has sold off some of the equipment he uses to grow potatoes. – But the commitment from the local population means that he is considering starting up again at a later date. GOOD POTATOES: – The potatoes looked just like regular potatoes, big, nice and tasted great, says Terese Hellang Skarpeid. She bought 10 kilos from Høgset. Photo: Private
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Couldn’t sell 60 tonnes of potatoes – then local people mobilized – news Nordland
