Organic Potatoes
The potatoes at Metcalfe Organic are grown on various soil types to give the best results depending on the variety. We can store potatoes on the farm for approximately six months in purpose built refridgerated stores, using no storage chemicals. The peeled products are vacuum packed if required and we do not use Sodium Metabisulphite (commonly known in the trade as Dry White) to prevent oxidation browning. We use organically approved naturally occuring acids as the only processing aid to stop stop the browning of the peeled potato. This does not effect the flavour of the potato but compared with Sodium Metabisulphate does reduce the shelf life to 7-10 days compared with 2-3 weeks for the asthma linked sulphite. The advantage we have is that being a local producer we would not have the delays in delivery and consequently the lower shelf life of the potatoes is not such an issue. The added advantage is the arrival at the kitchen of soil free produce with a far lower risk of introducing contamination in a food area.
The main selections grown are 'Princess' (white fleshed) and 'Nicola' (yellow fleshed). Both can be used as a salad potato or allowed to become larger and used as a main crop. They both have excellent eating characteristics and suit organic farming, being less prone to disease. Other varieties grown are 'Cara' - a good all rounder, 'Sante' - good for general purpose use and processing, being higher in dry matter, and 'Lady Balfour' - a variety bred specifically for organic systems, that has a very good tolerance of potato blight and good all round cooking qualities.
Supported Under the England Rural Development Programme by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the European Agricultural Guidance & Guarantee Fund
All our crops are grown to UK Organic standards and certified by The Organic Food Federation. Cropping is also under Assured Produce standards. Our pack house is certified to Soil Association UK5, Organic Food Federation UK4 and British Retail Consortium.