b"the struggles there would be to produce organic seed as Kroeker Farms has their own potato seed production farm located in Saskatchewan. I think it would be way more difficult to grow organic potatoes from organic seeds. You want to start off with very clean seed, he adds. We do look for organic seed, but with the system there can't be any chemicals on that seed, the seed has to be totally chemical free.The Future of Organics In the grand scheme of things, organic potatoes are a small part of the organic industry in Canada making up only one per cent of total organic production. There are approximately 226 organic potato producers in Canada while there are nearly 6,000 certified organic farmers in total, according to COTA.I didn't expect it would be so low because any kind of root vegetable is a huge opportunity for farmers in Canada, because they last so long. But it's interesting to see that we don't have that many that are focused on potatoes, Tia Loftsgard, executive director of COTA, says in a phone interview.Loftsgard does think theres opportunity for expansion in the Canadian organic potato industry. COTA has been participating in a supply chain project with the Canadian Organic Growers where they examine organic product categories. One of the crops that they have investigated is carrotsanother root vegetable which is able to be grown in Canada and stores well. Through the project theyve found retailers are sourcing year-Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canada Organic Traderound product from reliable external suppliers, except for those Associationthat have made a commitment to sourcing local. In the next phase 12SPUDSMART.COM Winter 2023"