(Charlottetown, PE – November 2nd, 2012) The only Prince Edward Island potatoes to enter the winners circle at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto this year were at the top their class!
Lewis Brothers of York, Prince Edward Island took home the Champion Tablestock prize with an entry of Yukon Gem potatoes. “Yukon Gem is a relatively new variety for us,” notes Scott Lewis. “It has a nice round shape, attractive appearance and good eating quality.”
In the Seed class, Lewis Brothers won both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion prizes, as well as winning the Canadian Horticultural Council International Award. The Grand Champion entry was a sample of Russet Burbank potatoes while the Reserve Grand Champion entry was Yukon Gems.
As Scott commented, “this just re-affirms the high quality of seed and table potatoes produced in PEI, the quality that our customers associate with Prince Edward Island products.”
2012 marks the 90th edition of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, held each November at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Prince Edward Island potatoes have been taking home top honours in the horticultural exhibit for many years, a testament to the quality of potatoes produced on the Island.
The potato industry is the single largest economic driver of the agriculture industry on Prince Edward Island, worth over one billion dollars to the Prince Edward Island economy each year. Prince Edward Island is also the largest potato-producing province in Canada. The Prince Edward Island Potato Board represents Island potato growers and assists in growing the market for PEI Potatoes locally, nationally, and internationally.