Nuggets of learning! Did you know that there are over 1,000 varieties of potatoes? Did you know that British Columbia produces almost 100,000 tonnes of potatoes annually? Did you know that potatoes are the most-grown storage crop in BC (planted on almost 3,000 acres)? Learn all this and more with the new Spotlight Series on Potatoes!

The Spotlight Series on Potatoes, produced by BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) and supported by Buy BC, provides intermediate and secondary-level educational resources on BC potatoes. The series features the following resources:

• Video: An 8-minute video showcases potato farming with farmer Cory Gerrard of Rod Swenson Farms in Delta, BC.
• GIS Resources: Students can explore the Grow BC Potato Story and Grow BC Seed Potato Story on the GIS site to learn about BC’s incredible potato industry. They can also use the new Farm Explorer BC site, supported by The Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, to take an online journey through BC potato farms.
• Activities: Educators can use Focus on Potatoes, Potatoes for the Planet!, and Picture Perfect Potatoes to teach students all about spuds.
• Recipes: Students can utilize their culinary skills to make tasty BC grown recipes (developed by BCAITC’s Chef Trevor Randle) like BC Potato Hash with Bacon and Over-Medium Eggs, BC Potato and Bacon Chowder, and BC Fresh Potato Gnocchi.

Take a Bite of BC Culinary Arts classrooms, Home Economics classrooms, homeschools, and anyone interested in learning about potatoes can use the multi-dimensional Spotlight Series toolkit.

Pat Tonn, BCAITC Executive Director, said, “This new Spotlight Series on Potatoes provides farm-to-table education on one of our favourites, our local spud story! We’re excited to launch this educational initiative in BC schools. Plus, stay tuned for the launch of more Spotlight Series later this month!”

Trevor Randle, BCAITC Chef and Maple Ridge Secondary School Chef Instructor, said, “I love cooking with BC grown potatoes and providing education on how to use this delicious, budget-friendly, nutritious, and versatile food in the kitchen. I’m excited to pair cooking lessons with the new Spotlight Series video and resources in my Culinary Arts classroom this season.”

The Spotlight Series on Potatoes compliments the existing Spotlight Series on Halibut, Hazelnuts, Honey, Chickens, Blueberries, Pork, Duck, Eggs, Cranberries, and Apples.