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New Brunswick farmer grows low-carb potatoes

Last Updated: Friday, March 5, 2004 | 2:00 PM ET

CBC News
A farmer in New Brunswick has started growing two varieties of low-carbohydrate potatoes.

Pirmin Kummer runs a mixed farm of grain, beef and hay in southeast New Brunswick, but his main product is a potato called Eco-Spud.

Potato prices are far below the break-even point, with a huge surplus of spuds on the market, according to Kummer.




He is one of many maritime farmers worried the low-carb, high-protein diet craze will destroy the potato industry.

The farm started growing two low-starch varieties in the past few years, believing they were also low enough in carbs and calories to satisfy dieters.

"There's even low carb beers these days and low carb subs and whatnot so we figured there must be a low-carb potato," said Kummer.

According to lab results from the Prince Edward Island Food Technology Centre, the Adora and Fabula varieties have 25 to 30 per cent fewer carbohydrates than a traditional favourite, the Russet.

The farmer doesn't believe in a low-carb diet himself, but he's glad to promote low-carb mash, fried or baked, if it convinces people to buy spuds again.

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