In restaurants across North America, many people are watching their waistlines and not eating as many French fries as they used to. In Manitoba, there's a movement underway that's aiming to put fries on their plate.
Nutritionists like Susan Cadman say eating fewer french fries – and opting for salad instead – is good for people's health.
"If the french friends are cooked in hydrogenated fat, than the salad would be a better choice," Cadman says.
However, the trend is having an impact on potato farms across the continent.
Ed Waldner, a potato producer with a farm near Brandon, says he's experienced the consequences of the anti-french fry sentiment.
"There is a trend and it has affected us in a big way," Waldner says. "Last year we've seen a 10-per cent volume decrease and probably a 16-per cent price decrease."
At a conference in Las Vegas earlier this week, the Alliance for Potato Education and Research unveiled a North American ad campaign that highlights how french fries and potatoes can be part of a healthy diet.
Similar ad campaigns have a proven record of helping potato producers, Walder says.
"They've seen big effects in Europe, where these ads have made a huge change and turnaround," he says.
-with a report from CTV's Josh Crabb
