CO-OPERATIVE food stores nationwide are to stock a new variety of potato grown exclusively by The Co-operative Farms in Cambridgeshire. Pioneer potatoes, named after the Rochdale Pioneers who founded the Co-operative Movement in 1844, are cultivated by

CO-OPERATIVE food stores nationwide are to stock a new variety of potato grown exclusively by The Co-operative Farms in Cambridgeshire.

"Pioneer" potatoes, named after the Rochdale Pioneers who founded the Co-operative Movement in 1844, are cultivated by The Co-operative Farms at Coldham, near Wisbech.

The new variety is ideal for boiling, saut�ing or using in salads, and can be eaten hot or cold. The name was chosen after a nationwide competition among staff, won by a colleague at The Co-operative's head office in Manchester.

Pioneer potatoes are the latest addition to The Co-operative's expanding "Grown by us" range - food and drink either grown by the Co-operative Farms, or made using ingredients grown by the business.

Russell Armstrong, who runs the 3,600-acre Co-operative Farm at Coldham, said: "Our 'Grown by us' range has been a great success so far and is very popular with shoppers. Pioneer potatoes from Coldham are a worthy addition to the range. We are very proud of them, and I'm sure the original Rochdale Pioneers would have been very proud as well."

Pioneer potatoes, grown at Coldham, are available in around 250 Co-operative food stores throughout the UK.