CULTIVATION AND TECHNOLOGY Weight Watcher keeps tuber weight at the same level Evidence-based practice with Weight Watcher demonstrates that a considerable weight-loss saving can be achieved and that this innovative aid can help the grower in this way, according to Lamb Weston / Meijer. ures that he could possibly save one percent in weight by using Weight Watcher, and there’s also the awareness-raising and the extra knowledge development. ‘For Markies in this unit, that would be 8.5 tons. If you start out from a contract price of 15 eurocents per kilogram on delivery, the extra payment would be 1,275 euros. This would mean that the investment could be recouped within two storage seasons’, he quickly calculates. Fewer production losses The use of Weight Watcher not only means profit/fewer losses for the grower, but also for the processor, Sjaak Aben continues. ‘A potato lot that remains at its original weight, also has fewer bruises at the end of the storage season. We see the effect in the factory, too, where delivering firmer tubers means fewer losses in the production process. When your potatoes have bruises, you can see that by the blackened areas in the potatoes. These discoloured tubers are, naturally, removed from the processing line and thrown out as waste. If the lot has too many bruises, it can’t be processed into French fries and rejection follows at the factory doors. We’ve been experimenting with Weight Watcher ever since 2012. We’ve learned that we can save a great deal in weight loss and that this innovative aid can help the grower with this. It’s now time to roll the system out into everyday practice, which is why we’ve started with our storage study groups. It’s important that growers learn from each other how they can limit their weight loss compared to others. They can consult a website, which shows a graph of your own weight loss and that of other growers. Who those fellow-growers are, remains anonymous. Of course, growers from our study group can voluntarily exchange figures if they want to do so. And that’s what they do, because they learn a lot from each other.’ Aben also tells us that the use of Weight Watcher fits in with the sustainability strategy of Lamb Weston / Meijer. ‘Weight Watcher was mentioned in our sustainability report that was recently published. As a manufacturer, we aim for the fewest potato losses in the chain as possible. Weight Watcher contributes to that by less shrinkage with the growers, better application in the factory and therefore more potato products per cultivated hectare. In addition, more efficient storage can also contribute to less energy usage, another important sustainability theme in the Lamb Weston / Meijer chain. The beauty of Weight Watcher is that the apparatus has advantages for both the grower and the processor. It’s a real win-win situation.’ ● Leo Hanse Potato World 2015 • number 2 41 Pagina 40
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