Sainsbury's is set to sell a brand new purple potato product using the Albert Bartlett Purple Majesty, as part of its exclusive partnership with the supplier.
Date:
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Source:
J Sainsbury plc
The new purple potato wedges or ‘witches fingers' will be available in store in time for Halloween.
This follows on from the launch of the Purple Majesty in Sainsbury's stores last year and further cements the partnership with the 60 year old family run company based in Airdrie, which already supplies over 85,000 tonnes of Scottish potatoes from a group of 65 Scottish growers.
The announcement was made at the Royal Highland Show last week where regional suppliers were showcasing local produce at the Sainsbury's stand.
Mike Coupe, Sainsbury's group commercial director, said: "We are delighted to be able to extend our range as last year our supplies flew off the shelves. Scotland produces excellent potatoes and the team at Albert Bartlett is working really hard to produce a bumper crop so we can launch a new product this year."
Gillian Kynoch, head of development at Albert Bartlett said: "It was really exciting to launch this amazing potato in Sainsbury's stores last year and this new product will help spread the appeal of purple potatoes.
"Sainsbury's partnership with Albert Bartlett includes the hugely successful Taste The Difference Vivaldi. Scottish seed production is enabling a step up in Scottish production this year. 16,000 tonnes will be grown in Scotland this year from Scottish seed."
Scientists at Colorado University bred the potato from a traditional variety. There are thousands of varieties of potatoes, with many having developed deep red and purple colours. Purple Majesty is a naturally occurring variation crossed from these original potatoes.
There are 47 Sainsbury's stores which employ 7,086 colleagues in Scotland and, in 2009/10, Sainsbury's opened more square footage in Scotland than ever before - c.230,000 sq ft.
It has since opened a further four new supermarkets, four new convenience stores and extended 3 stores with plans to open three new supermarkets, 10 new convenience stores and extend three existing stores in 2011/12, creating over 1,300 jobs.
More information: