Belgian citizens urged to eat fries and save the economy

Patrick Varine
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 4:21 p.m. | Tuesday, April 28, 2020 4:21 p.m.

AP file

Romain Cools, head of Belgapom, the country’s potato growers’ union, urged Belgians to make frites — a twice-fried potato snack that has a fancy name but looks an awful lot like French fries — twice per week to help alleviate the surplus.

It’s rare that eating twice-fried potatoes more often can actually help a nation’s economy.

But with 750,000 tons of potatoes sitting in Belgian warehouses as restaurants remain shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic, the head of Belgium’s potato growers’ union has asked his countrymen to step up their consumption.

The country ranks ninth in the world for most exported potatoes, according to WorldsTopExports.com, and is among the top 25 potato-producing countries.

Romain Cools, head of Belgapom, the country’s potato growers’ union, urged Belgians to make frites — a twice-fried potato snack that has a fancy name but looks an awful lot like French fries — twice per week to help alleviate the surplus. Cools also announced that potatoes would be delivered to food banks in Belgium through May.

Twitter user @fwong is ready to help.

i am the hero belgium needs right now https://t.co/aCqlr6leul

— fwong (@fwong) April 27, 2020

@Leecard0 has a better idea.

My god - the better solution is staring y’all right in the face. Make Vodka. CoVodka- 19 ~ Belgium Potato Inspired. pic.twitter.com/tI6TWrpefz

— Lee card (@Leecard0) April 28, 2020

@TimMcCann15 feels there’s a foul plot afoot.

My trip to Belgium gets cancelled and all of a sudden there’s a national potato surplus. Coincidence? I think NOT. https://t.co/6MT9RmrpF0

— Tim McCann (@TimMcCann15) April 28, 2020

LIMERICKS??? Oh, we’re 100% here for the limericks.

The Belgians in lockdown don't eat
French fries that you buy on the street,
So millions of taters
Will end up in craters
Unless they can make their own frites.#Belgium #België #Belgique https://t.co/YnY4x0JzAL

— Mick Twister (@twitmericks) April 25, 2020

While it may not be the same magnitude as in Belgium, demand for potatoes has dropped in the U.S. as well.

How is this happening in both Belgium and the US? Potatoes are such a versatile food and people can’t afford to eat. https://t.co/315ELcRN5P

— Nathan Trout (@NathanTrout) April 24, 2020

Meanwhile, @geejaydee is just over here waiting for a thank-you.

Belgians are being urged to eat more chips to help the potato farmers. As someone WELL ahead of that particular curve, you're welcome Belgium.

— Gee Whizz (@geejaydee) April 27, 2020

Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.