Here are a few frequently asked questions about potatoes.

Why do I sometimes hear that potatoes aren’t good for you?

Potatoes are actually a very healthy food.  They’re full of vitamins and minerals and have proven health benefits.  Potatoes can get a bad reputation when they’re deep fried or loaded with cheese, butter, sour cream, bacon and other toppings.  The actual potato is 100% fat free and cholesterol free!  Try using herbs and broth to make your mashed potatoes healthier or opt for baked fries and potato chips.

How can I get the most nutrition out of potatoes?

Most of the nutrients in a potato are found in the skin so try to eat them with the skins on whenever possible.   Baking or steaming is the best way to keep the nutrients high.  If you steam or boil the potatoes, think about using the residual water to add to gravies or to moisten mashed potatoes.  This will give you even more vitamins and minerals!

Where should I store my fresh potatoes?

The vitamins in potatoes are sensitive to heat, air, light and water which means that ideally, the potatoes would be stored in a cool, dark and dry place.  A temperature of 7 C degrees is ideal to store potatoes (the average temperature in a refrigerator is 4 C degrees). If potatoes are stored in an area that’s too cool, they’ll dry up faster, conversely, an area that’s too warm will lead the potatoes sprouting and getting soft.  If you don’t have an ideal storage solution, we recommend purchasing potatoes in a smaller quantity so they’ll get eaten while they’re still in perfect condition!

Should I wash my potatoes before I store them?

Most potatoes are washed and dried prior to being delivered to retailers so they typically just need a quick rinse immediately before you’re going to use them.  Dampness can cause potatoes to get soft and start to decay so it’s best not to wash them before they’re stored. 

Why should I buy local potatoes?

When you buy local, you’re also supporting local potato farmers and their families which means that you’re also investing in your local economy and preserving farmland for the future.  Prairie Gold Produce thanks you for buying local! 

What are the nutritional facts for potatoes?