PW-ACTUA Potato vending machines advancing into West Flanders On-farm sales of potatoes continue to be an important source of extra earnings in many rural areas of Europe. This also applies to the Flemish coastal region of Belgium. The sign ‘potatoes for sale’ can be seen at the entrance of many farm yards or farm roads. Although most crop farmers are still selling their potatoes in the corner of a shed, garage or stall, slowly-but-surely one sees ‘mechanical salesmen’ appearing: the Potato vending machines or automats. One of those machines can be found on the farm of Vincent de Poorter from the village of De Haan. De Poorter, once winner of the prestigious BPQA (Belgian Potato Quality Award) laureate, bought the automat three years ago. The reason for this was that, after the death of his parents, he was completely on his own in running the overall management of his arable farm. ‘I was the first in the region to purchase a machine like that. I bought the automat as an addition to the farm shop, which is open three days a Behind the openings of the various containers is a variety of potatoes packed in 3 to 5 kg net bags. week from the autumn until the summer season. On days that the shop is closed and during the summer season, customers can buy products from the automat. Choice of six varieties The potato vending machine is installed in a spacious cabin. Behind the openings of the various containers is a variety of potatoes packed in 3 to 5 kg net bags. The varieties De Poorter sells here are Bintje, Franceline, Désirée, Charlotte, Nicola and Corne de Gatte, while supplies last. At the end of June, prices Providing a world-class service to the potato and vegetable industry. range from a minimum of 1.50 euros to 3.50 euros for three to five kilogram bags, depending on the variety. De Poorter grows a total of 30 ha of potatoes, 5 hectares of which are table potatoes for on-farm sales, and 25 hectares of seed potatoes. He is currently building a new barn in which he wants to install the packaging machines for his table potatoes. At present, these machines are still in the storage shed, which, when the machinery has gone, will be entirely used for the storage of potatoes. ● For more information contact Tong Engineering Ltd T/ +44 (0)1790 752771 E/ sales@tongpeal.com Vincent de Poorter: ‘I was the first in the region to purchase a machine like that.’ WWW.TONGPEAL.COM Potato World 2010 • number 4 11 Pagina 10
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