The Potato Council (UK) is looking for potato suppliers to help publicise National Chip Week 2010.

Growers and merchants are being encouraged to raise awareness of National Chip Week in February by putting the message onto potato sacks. Artwork is already available that promotes the week’s key benefit – to boost sales – and encourage shops to register to take part.

Cambridgeshire grower and packer, and National Chip Week supporter, John Boutwood of Isle of Ely Produce is already leading the way. He is supplying customers with potatoes in sacks bearing the bright and eye-catching artwork, which was printed for free by bag supplier East Riding Sacks Ltd.

John says: “It really does make an impact and shops can’t fail to see the Chip Week message when their potatoes arrive. It’s also a great way to build relationships between shops and merchants, identifying opportunities that we can all benefit from.”

The bag artwork is available to request now from the Potato Council and there are recruitment flyers that can be passed on to show why National Chip Week is such an important event. The Potato Council is also looking for help with the distribution of promotional material to shops.

Ellie King, Potato Council marketing executive, is urging all growers, processors and packers to request and use the artwork and flyers wherever possible – after all, the positive benefits will be felt by the whole sector. Ellie said: “Fish and chips shops account for a significant part of the potato market and so it is in the interest of the industry to encourage their customers to take part.

“The Week has proven to be a hugely successful platform to increase sales of chips and 2010 looks set to be no exception.

“It will be supported by a national media campaign, its own dedicated website www.lovechips.co.uk and will see the return of the hugely popular ‘Perfect Portion’ awards for chip shops fronted by TV personality Keith Chegwin, all aimed at increasing sales and promoting positive messages about chips and potatoes.”

For more information on National Chip Week 2010 or to request artwork (and details about printing) and recruitment flyers please contact Ellie King, Potato Council marketing on 02476 478 775 or email eking@potato.org.uk.