Industry sets it’s sights on Chip Week 2012

2012 is a year for celebrations and kicking things off in style is Chip Week! Running from 20th to 26th February, the chip promotion run by Potato Council is one of the biggest annual awareness weeks and an important opportunity for the industry to drive sales and reach consumers.

With a host of exciting activity to involve all sectors, Potato Council is drawing on support from the supply chain to make Chip Week 2012 a stand out success. At its heart are the ‘Choice Chip’ Awards, which will not only put the winning businesses in the spotlight but suppliers and processors too!

DO YOU SUPPLY THE ‘CHOICEST CHIPS’?

These awards recognise and reward the quality chips being served up by fish and chip shops and independent pubs and restaurants around the country. Voted for by people that matter most the general public the awards will provide winners and their suppliers, with a fantastic platform to raise their own profile and boost sales.

Outlets must register to take part by contacting the Chip Week hotline on 01664 869409 or email chipweek@potato.adhb.org.uk. In doing so, they will be provided with promotional material to get customers voting. Regional and National winners will be announced ahead of the Week to ensure participating businesses can maximise media coverage and the benefits to their bottom line.

Kate Cox, Chip Week campaign manager for Potato Council, said: “This is a fantastic way to demonstrate the quality chips available today. So, if you supply the chip shop trade or foodservice sector, make the most of this opportunity to be show that your potatoes and chips are some of the best in the country and be sure to pass on entry details to your customers.

“Of course, there are other ways to get involved. Raising awareness of Chip Week with customers, spreading key messages about chips and potatoes, running promotions and using our recipe ideas will ensure that it continues to make a positive impact and return on investment.”

The hugely popular Excellence Events also make a welcome return, to give potato merchants, processors and chip shops a unique opportunity to get together and discuss ways to get the most out of Chip Week. It also provides a platform for sharing advice and best practise to improve quality, profitability and reduce waste.

Kate added: “Chip Week is one of the most prominent ‘weeks’ of the calendar and acts as a platform to support what is a significant sector for the industry. From frozen to fresh and chip shop chips, the Week highlights the many ways chips can be enjoyed, influencing sales, and that they can form part of a balanced diet.

“As with all of our work, industry collaboration makes a real difference to the effectiveness of Chip Week and helps to deliver a strong and consistent message. There are many ways to help; we have flyers available for levy payers to use to encourage involvement in our ‘Choice Chip Awards’ and our websites www.potato.org.uk/chipshops and www.lovepotatoes/chips are full of useful information, facts, recipes ideas and supporting activity.

“The Week is also backed by a nationwide PR campaign that generates incredible amounts of publicity for the Week, those businesses taking part and the industry as a whole.”

CHIP FACTS

• There is no denying that chips are a favourite food, in fact….
• Chips are more popular than sandwiches and are the most common food eaten out of the home!
• One in four of all GB potatoes are made into chips, or approximately 1.5 million tonnes
• The fish and chip shop market is worth 1.2bn and uses around 13% of all potatoes grown in GB
• In one year, the nation eats nearly three billion meals containing chips
• More than half a billion meals containing homemade chips are eaten each year

Chip Week is run by Potato Council. Funded by potato growers and potato trade buyers, Potato Council supports the British potato industry, and is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (www.ahdb.org.uk)