Despite the downturn of the economy, families should not have to choose between eating food that is nutritiously filling and what is affordable says Economist Sifiso Ntombela.
Ntombela and non-profit company, Potatoes South Africa, have partnered to communicate with South Africans how potatoes can bridge the gap between affordability and nutritiousness.
“South Africa, much like the world has been negatively affected by COVID-19 which exacerbated an already dire socio-economic environment, especially for families who may have already been struggling financially. Eating healthy is something everyone should be doing but often eating a nutritiously balanced meal is associated with high costs,” says Immaculate Zinde, Marketing Manager at Potatoes South Africa.
A PLOS One study which focused on vegetable cost metrics found that potatoes and beans provide the most nutrients per penny. According to the study in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science, potatoes have some of the best nutritional values in the produce aisle, providing one with better nutritional values for your buck than most other raw vegetables. In fact, potatoes are considered to be one of the world’s most food-secure foods that are capable to deliver- quality nutrition cost-effectively. Not only are potatoes nutritious, but they are also tasty and can be prepared in many different ways.
The Health Benefits of Potatoes
The results indicated that while dark green vegetables had the highest nutrient density scores, after accounting for cost, starchy vegetables (including potatoes) and beans provided better nutritional value for money. In a study initiated by Potatoes South Africa a couple of years back, aimed at unpacking the nutritional value of potatoes, but, also to ensure South African consumers are presented with sound and scientifically proven information – it was found that; baked, grilled, boiled or even air-fried with skins on:
- Potatoes* are high in carbohydrates, naturally free of fat and naturally very low in sodium
- Potatoes* are high in the mineral chromium
- Potatoes* have the highest level of potassium when compared to other vegetables and starchy foods
“As studies have shown, potatoes are not only nutritionally packed, but they also offer value for money. In these trying times where families are accounting for every rand and global world-hunger is on the rise, it is important to work towards establishing food security and for people to have a healthy, affordable staple,” says Ntombela.
The Economic Value of Potatoes
Potatoes are also a great contributor to the country’s economy. For over 500 potato producers in South Africa as well as an estimated 50 000 temporal and permanent farmworkers, potatoes are a vital source of income and livelihood.
Potatoes South Africa said the gross value of potatoes was estimated at R6.13 billion in 2017. The supply chain and route to market of potatoes are moderately diversified with 66% of product earmarked for the formal (retail) sector, 23% mainly channelled through the informal sector and 6% of product going into processing and the export markets, respectively.
Through hosting a series of weekly challenges called #OurPotatoesYourWay, Potatoes South Africa aims to highlight the multiple elements potatoes possess and how ordinary South Africans can benefit from them. “Potatoes have long been an important, cost-effective source of energy, nutrition and satiety in the South African diet. As the most important vegetable crop in South Africa and one of the world’s most recognised staple foods, the potato continues to play an important role in our diets, health and well-being. As an industry, we are committed to ensuring that no South African goes to bed hungry. Most especially when South African producers and farm workers toil hard across all sixteen production regions, to ensure South Africans have access to a fresh, affordable and easily accessible product,” concludes Zinde.
