2008 to be the Year of the Potato
The U.N. has officially declared 2008 "The International Year of the Potato." According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the world will need to increase food production by about 60 percent to meet the needs of the growing population. And the potato can help in this fight against hunger and poverty.The potato is nutritious, offering many vitamins and fiber, yet they contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Potatoes also have the highest protein content of any root vegetable. Potatoes can be grown all around the world and in 2006, more than half were harvested in developing countries.
The International Year of the Potato aims to raise the profile of the potato, promoting its production and consumption, with hopes of increasing food security around the world. IYP also hopes to focus attention on protecting potato diversity and creating solutions for sustainable intensification of farming networks, as family farm size shrinks around the globe.
Potatoes are already a staple of the American diet. However, here in the U.S., potatoes remain one of the most pesticide-contaminated vegetables. So, if the Year of the Potato has got you interested in upping your potato intake for its nutrition value, try to make them organic.
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