Potato Bribes

Before 1748 potatoes were considered hogs feed by French and the French Parliament banned cultivations as they thought potato plantations causes leprosy. Antoine Parmentier, a pharmacist changed all that through research and pioneering for potatoes to be accepted. He also placed armed guards around his potato fields, instructing the guards to accept all bribes and allow people to “steal” the crop. Similar strategies were followed by monarchs throughout Europe to encourage potato consumption.