The Sustainable Potato

Potatoes are sustainable for the environment, people, and communities

Many of us are looking for more planet-friendly ways to eat—but we also want meals that taste great and fill us up. Good news: when it comes to sustainable, delicious, nutritious food, you can have your potato and eat it, too! Potatoes USA is here to help you learn how.

Potatoes are good for a healthy, sustainable earth

• According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, potatoes produce more nutritious food more quickly, on less land, and in harsher climates than any other major crop.
• Potato production has a lower carbon footprint and requires less land and water than many other fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Potatoes can be part of a sustainable diet

• Potatoes are a nutrient-dense vegetable, great for those seeking the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet or for anyone just trying to eat more vegetables.
• Potatoes minimize waste. People can eat up to 85% of the potato plant versus around 50% for grains.

Potatoes help feed a growing world sustainably

• About two-thirds of the world’s population include potatoes in their diet, showing global love for and reliance on this versatile vegetable.
• Potatoes play an important role in food security, particularly for developing countries. Half of the world’s food energy needs are supplied by potatoes, rice, wheat and corn.

Potato farmers make sustainability part of their everyday work

Potato farmers use sustainable growing techniques to ensure healthy crops for generations. The soil is cared for year-round and involves the addition of compost, rotation of crops, and growing cover crops. This approach reduces erosion and adds nutrients to the soil naturally. Great care is taken to conserve water and reduce evaporation with constant irrigation monitoring.

In St. Augustine, Florida, Bryan Jones and his father operate Riverdale Potato Farm. Bryan uses innovative technology, including tools to track rainfall and subsurface irrigation, allowing him to grow a bountiful crop using less irrigation and fertilizer.

“We use weather stations, spore collectors, subsurface irrigation, and other tools to protect both the harvest and the local environment. We want to keep the nutrients in our soil and protect the St. Johns River,” said Bryan.

Black Gold Farms of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is a family-run farm focused on helping its land and community thrive. Black Gold Farms uses LEED® construction techniques whenever possible and has achieved LEED® Gold certification for their headquarters.

“As farmers, we have our hands in the dirt every day. So, it’s imperative that we treat that soil with respect. It’s imperative that the things we build on that soil are sustainably built,” said Gregg Halverson, CEO of Black Gold Farms.

Looking for plant-based recipe inspiration?

Potatoes can help make your next plant-based meal a crowd-pleaser with dishes like:

Spring Vegetable Gnocchi

Potato Plant-Based “Ribs”

Roasted Potato Pita Pocket