Day 3 - Potato Pete

Potato Pete - Victory in the Kitchen - A WW2 Cartoon Character.

Britain’s Ministry of Information generated material to influence the population towards the support of the war effort during World War Two (1939-1945).

A wide range of media was employed aimed at local and overseas audiences.

Traditional forms such as newspapers and posters were joined by new media including cinema (film), newsreels and radio.

‘Potato Pete’ became one of the most popular characters in Britains ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign and together with Doctor Carrot helped WW2 food campaigning.

The ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign was dreamt up to support that effort, with green spaces across Britain turned into vegetable patches.

Food was ‘ammunition of war’ and with imports hit hard by the attacks on shipping convoys, home-grown food became of crucial importance.

The potato was a pillar of the UK’s war effort. This is because it was easy to grow, breaking the reliance on food imports, it’s versatile, and it’s one of the most efficient crops in terms of land use.

They had to work out how to sell potatoes to the public and hence came Potato Pete and his recipe book.

Both Potato Pete and Doctor Carrot had their own song to further convey their message, sung by Betty Driver.

Radio broadcasts encouraged the nation that growing your own food was a form of recreation, not wartime sacrifice.

Betty Driver would continue her fame with a 42-year acting role behind the bar in the Rovers Return in Coronation street as Betty Williams.

Today’s variety - Blaue Annelise (Maincrop)

Available soon from our online shop.

Blaue Annelise is a fairly recent blue/purple-fleshed coloured introduction (2007) from Germany which gives long-oval tubers with deep blue flesh and skin.

A mild slightly creamy flavour and a nutty aroma.

The tubers are elongated with sunken eyes they are thick-skinned, and thus keep well.

Cooking qualities: Tasty & fluffy with a creamy flavour and nutty aroma.

Salad, roast, blue mash.