The Midland Journal

BRITONS EAT MORE POTATOES
Wartime Britain is growing and eating more potatoes than it ever did in peace. Last year British farmers grew nearly twice as many acres (the acreage was up 90 per cent above the three years before the war), and the per capita consumption increased about 45 per cent, according to reports to the office of Foreign Agricultural Relations. U. S. Department of Agriculture. The difference in the percentages reflects the fact that potatoes grown at home are taking the place of potatoes and other foods formerly imported.
Increased production has been fostered by guarantees and subsidies to growers. Marketing is regulated by the Food Ministry, and even some phases of the growing. A grower may not dig potatoes until they are mature, and grading is regulated to prevent feeding any but low grade cull potatoes to livestock. The striking increase in acreage also reflects some industrial use of potatoes.
A Potato Marketing Board regulated potato marketing before the war, but gave way to the Food Ministry in December, 1939. Post-war planning has been suggested by the Board providing for a more or less permanent increase of about 10 per cent in potato acreage. The potato as a war crop has been adaptable in providing a rapid increase in food.