Our canteens are taking part in the nationwide initiative of the Studierendenwerke “Rettet die Knolle!
Why this initiative?
In 2025, there was a particularly good potato harvest in many regions – which is actually good news. At the same time, the market and demand could not fully absorb the large quantities: Warehouses quickly became full, prices came under pressure and not all potatoes could be sold as food. As a result, some surplus quantities are used for energy or remain unsaleable, even though they would in principle be suitable for consumption. This is precisely where the “Save the potato!” initiative comes in: We want to make the potato more visible as a foodstuff again, exploit food potential and take responsibility together.
Studierendenwerke: Responsibility is in their DNA
Studierendenwerke have always been part of the social infrastructure at universities. Day after day, they provide students with affordable and reliable care – and at the same time bear responsibility for resources, quality and sustainability. “Rettet die Knolle!” makes visible what Studierendenwerke stand for: not just managing, but appreciating. Not just providing, but shaping.
This is how the campaign works
The nationwide campaign will start in good time in the first half of 2026, before stocks can become critical. It will be accompanied by uniform marketing that enables clear recognition at all university locations. A common logo and design as well as digital templates facilitate implementation on site and ensure a consistent presence.
Plans include: Potato campaign dishes and potato weeks in canteens and cafeterias, a nationwide recipe series with practical and budget-friendly potato dishes. Background reports and impulses on producers and regional agriculture, information on the diversity of potatoes, tips on using leftovers and accompanying content for digital channels to make the campaign continuously visible.
Making impact measurable – without bureaucracy
In order to document the impact of the initiative transparently, a central key figure is collected for each student union that shows the potential of potato recycling in the canteens. The data basis enables an evaluation by student union and shows how much additional potato potential has been tapped by the campaign – without the implementation degenerating into detailed work.
So join in and eat the “Knollen”!
