Jury selected for PotatoEurope 2025 Innovation Award

The expert jury for the PotatoEurope 2025 Innovation Award, to be announced during PotatoEurope, has been selected.

The event will be held Sept. 3-4 at the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) Open Crops location in Lelystad, the Netherlands.

The jury consists of:

• Johan Warringa, business unit manager at WUR Open Crops in Lelystad
• Jan Gottschall, policy officer at the Dutch Potato Organization
• Rob Donker, director of the National Cooperative Council and chair of the AgrofoodCluster
• Roger de Groot, mayor of the municipality of Noordoostpolder, home to World Potato City Emmeloord
• Jaap Delleman, editor-in-chief of PotatoWorld magazine

Warringa will bring his research-oriented perspective to developments in potato cultivation, while Donker will focus on innovations and industry collaboration. Gottschall represents the interests of Dutch trading companies at a national and international level. As chair of the jury, Mayor De Groot will emphasize innovation within the context of Emmeloord as World Potato City, while Delleman will add journalistic knowledge and an international outlook.

“Innovation is essential for the future of the potato sector,” de Groot said in a news release. “Within World Potato City, we strongly focus on progress and collaboration. The PotatoEurope Innovation Award provides a platform for the latest advancements that will drive the sector forward.”

PotatoEurope 2025 showcases innovations that further sustainable and efficient supply chain solutions. The jury will select three companies that offer the most innovative product or service. During the opening event on Sept. 3, bronze, silver, and gold awards will be presented.

The deadline to register for Innovation Award consideration is June 16. Registration and more information are available online.