DA assures ample supply of locally grown potatoes

FOR  those who have a taste for mashed potatoes and French fries and noticed that two of their favorite side dishes are missing from the menu list, that’s probably because of the global shortage of the carbohydrate-rich tuber—but, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured that the country has more than sufficient supply of locally produced potatoes.

According to agriculture undersecretary Kristine Evangelista, foodies need not worry as supplies of our local potatoes “are very sufficient,” although they are unfortunately not the variety used to make French fries.

“(Actually), we have a surplus of supply,” Evangelista enthused in a radio interview without disclosing the amount of potato surplus to date.

Despite having a different texture, she added, the potatoes that are produced by our local farmers, also known as table potato, have (a far better) consistency compared to the chipping potato variety.

Although local fast-food chains can tap the local supply market, Evangelista noted that global lessors and franchisees have to comply in terms of the variety of potatoes used to make their French fries, asserting that the agriculture department is in talks with local restaurants to encourage them to get their potato supply locally.

“Local restaurants don’t have to comply with the requirements of international fast-food chains so we are discussing with groups like RestoPH for partnership,” she pointed out.