Kiwis Still Prefer Potatoes Survey Shows

21 September 2011

Kiwis Still Prefer Potatoes Survey Shows

Kiwis' love affair with the potato shows no sign of waning with a recent Colmar Brunton poll revealing that they are the single most popular fresh vegetable/starch choice to compliment a meal.

Of more than 1,000 respondents in the 'What are New Zealanders having for dinner?' survey, 40% chose fresh potatoes as their preferred vegetable/starch and 39% choosing fresh green vegetables. Rice scored just 15%, with dehydrated pasta/noodles at 9% and fresh pasta/noodles at only 4%.

"This result fits with the overall message of the survey, which is that Kiwis are making healthy, value-for-money food choices and fresh potatoes certainly fit the bill," says Potatoes New Zealand Food and Education Consultant Glenda Gourley.

"Further evidence of the healthy focus is that nearly 50% of Kiwis like their potatoes boiled, a great way to cook these nutrient-packed vegetables for prime health benefits."

When it comes to gender, fresh potatoes are the equally adored starch of choice for men 41% and women 40% compared to rice at 18% for men and 14% for women and dehydrated pasta/noodles at 6% for men and 10% for women.

"Another key message is that the older we get the more health conscious our food choices," says Gourley.

"Consumption of potatoes in particular increases significantly with more than half of our 60+ age group choosing fresh potatoes while the younger age groups tend to eat more rice, pasta and noodles - though potatoes are still the all-out winner."

ENDS

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