The Co-operative Group is hoping to inspire home cooks with a versatile new potato variety.

Pioneer potatoes can be eaten hot or cold and are ideal for boiling, sautéing or using in salads. The variety, which is named after the Rochdale Pioneers who founded the co-operative movement in 1844, are grown on the group’s farms in Cambridgeshire.

Sold under the Grown By Us range, the potatoes hit shelves in 250 stores last week. “The range has been a huge success so far and is very popular with shoppers,” said Christine Tacon, managing director of The Co-operative Farms. “Pioneer potatoes are a worthy addition and a great example of co-operation between The Co-operative Farms and The Co-operative Food.”

The new variety is the latest in a series of launches in the Grown By Us range. Last month it launched sweetcorn.