New 'better for diabetics' potato attractive to P.E.I. growers

People in the P.E.I. potato industry believe a new spudthat's better for people with diabetes could be lucrative to grow on the Island.

• New Waterdown potato good for diabetics, people on low carb diets

TheCarismapotato was launched this week by an Ontario companyEarthFreshFoods Inc. It's being marketed with a lowglycemicindex, with the support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

A Russet Burbank potato has a GI of about 90 versus theCarismapotato at 50, according toEarthFresh.

"This would appeal to, you know, people maybeinterested in weight control," said DonNorthcott with Real Potatoes Limited, a potato production and development company in Cornwall, P.E.I.

"I know many of the people who suffer from diabetes are interested in this as well."

Northcott said following food trends and taking advantage of specialized marketsareimportant when it comes to choosing which potato varieties to develop and grow.

Lots ofinterestin new variety says company

EarthFresh said there has been a lot of interest in the potatoes since the product was released earlier this week.

"With the Diabetes Association estimating 11 million Canadians thatlive with diabetes, or pre-diabetes, including those who are undiagnosed, it's great that they can have a food offering now that has a lower glycemic response,"said Stephanie Cutaia, marketing director for EarthFresh.

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"It's a slow release carbohydrate that doesn't spike their blood glucose sugarlevels."

This low GI ratingis not achieved through genetic modification.Carismapotatoes area variety that contains more water and less starch than other potatoes, according to the company.

Only eight hectares of the Carisma spuds are beinggrown and sold in Ontario this year, but EarthFresh would like to at least double the hectaresand expand outside of Ontario next year.

Expansion into P.E.I. possible

"We'd love to work with some of the growers in P.E.I.," said Cutaia. She believes this premiumproduct would earn farmers more than some traditional varieties.

The P.E.I. Potato Board would encourage Island farmers to considerthe Carisma potatofor next year.

"Healthier lifestyles are more important to us, and so we're looking more and more for foods that meet those needs," said Greg Donald, the board's general manager.

"So certainly as farmers we need to keep in touch with what the needs of our customers are and continue to change and look for new varieties that'll meet those needs. It's an opportunity."

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