Latest News From Potatoes

DENVER — Crowd-sourced nutrition fads, low-carb diets, the “snackification” of America and global competition are some of the challenges facing the U.S. potato industry.

Jones Potato Farm is starting a new small-pack operation in Parrish this year, said Alan Jones, president.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to allow public comments on its process for deregulating fields previously infested with pale cyst nematode.

Tasteful Selections’ Small Bite Campaign's new theme is happiness.

The Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission is finishing up its 28th Potato Lover’s Month promotion, said Ross Johnson, international marketing director.

Farmingdale, N.Y.-based Bushwick Potato Inc. is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year.

Marketers have a stronger price this year on which to base their sales of potatoes, perhaps thanks, in part, to strong demand from the processing sector.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has terminated the potato marketing order for Southeastern states.

Grand Forks, N.D.-based Black Gold Farms has hired Kerwin Bradley as chief production officer.

San Francisco-based Fresh Solutions Network is positioning its Side Delights fresh potato brand in the trending “food as medicine” and plant-based menu movement.

A group of 14 U.S. senators and 25 members of Congress are urging the Trump administration to include fresh potatoes in trade talks with China.

Ever a consumer favorite, potatoes topped the list as the most popular vegetable in the Fresh Trends 2018 survey. It was also the No. 3 item overall that consumers said they purchased. 

Morning Kiss Organic, part of Arrowfarms, Chelsea, Mass., is promoting potatoes with a social media contest and prize drawing during February — Potato Lover’s Month.

The Big Idaho Potato Truck has finished another season on the road, traveling more than 40,000 miles and participating in almost 70 events in 2018.

A slight rise in sales of fresh potatoes in the second-quarter ending in December was offset by a drop in russet volumes, dragging the overall fresh category volume down.

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission will highlight potatoes produced in the state with 90 branded display bins and 4.6 million Kwik Lok tags with the Michigan Potatoes logo.

Under the umbrella of the family business, Black Gold Farms, Leah Halverson is CEO of a new division called Ten Acre Marketing.

AUSTIN, Texas — John Keeling is The Packer’s 2018 Potato Man for All Seasons.

AUSTIN, Texas — John Keeling is The Packer’s 2018 Potato Man for All Seasons.

In this episode of Packer Insight, editor-in-chief Tom Karst delivers an update from Potato Expo 2019, and retail editor Ashley Nickle discusses reports on the future of Amazon grocery and on retailer rankings.

AUSTIN, Texas - With Washington D.C. distracted by dysfunction and a partial government shutdown, one trade analyst speaking at Potato Expo 2019 said the focus needs to return to the importance of approving the USMCA.

With its Small-Bite Campaign, Tasteful Selections is thinking small, but going big.

Jerry Twinam has created a patented process that preserves fresh peeled and cut potatoes for at least 35 days when the product is refrigerated. 

Stepping into retirement, Dave Haun, owner of Haun Potato Co., Lenexa, Kan., is winding down operations of Haun Potato.

Chicago-based Agrow Fresh Produce Co. is introducing a new steam bag for petite potatoes, said Ed Romanelli, vice president of sales and marketing.

The best way to keep potatoes moving is to keep consumers informed, marketers say.

Retail produce managers take note: the Idaho Potato Commission’s 2019 retail display contest wants to send you away. To Hawaii.

Alan Kahn is the new vice president of foodservice for the Idaho Potato Commission, Boise.

The plethora of potato packs now displayed on produce department shelves offers consumers options to fill their potato needs, but they could be cutting into category profits if they’re not merchandised properly.

The Idaho Potato Commission has new members.

Movement of organic potatoes and onions has been sluggish at times, but most organic growers say consumer demand generally remains strong as they continue to serve the market.

Potato and onion trade groups have planned a plethora of promotions to encourage consumption of their product. Here’s a look at some of the activities now underway.

Retailers and consumers can look for plenty of good-quality onions over the coming months, grower-shippers say.

Potato supplies should be ample for the holidays and beyond, despite bad weather in some growing regions and an overall dip in production.

Side Delights, a value-added potato line from Fresh Solutions Network LLC, San Francisco, is plugging into the plant-based menu trend.

Morning Kiss Organic, Chelsea, Mass., is promoting its onions and potatoes as retailers enter the holiday season.

U.S. exports of potatoes in the most recent quarter saw declines across the board, with the largest drop in fresh exports, in what Potatoes USA says reflects trade disputes with Mexico and China.

The National Potato Council and United Fresh Start Foundation recently joined students, teachers and staff at a Virginia grade school for a “Celebration of Potatoes” lunchtime event.

Like his father before him, Kam Quarles is a voice for growers.

Specialty potato brand Tasteful Selections kicked off its fourth-quarter promotion Nov. 5, part of its year-long Fresh campaign.

The time is now to honor a well-deserving member of the potato growing community by nominating them for the Potato Man of the Year or Potato Man for All Seasons.

Ever a consumer favorite, potatoes topped the list as the most popular vegetable in the Fresh Trends 2018 survey. They were also the No. 3 item overall that consumers said they purchased. How did they use potatoes?

Value-added potato brand Side Delights has wrapped up another successful consumer-focused marketing program with bloggers who were asked to pick their favorite recipes using the company’s potatoes.

Retail promotions efforts by the Idaho Potato Commission are off and running with the start of harvest, and the pace won’t let up much through the first of next year.

Per capita availability of potatoes showed mixed trends in 2017, with fresh down slightly and frozen up.

The Idaho fresh potato crop features strong quality and a mix of sizes for 2018, with russet norkotahs tending toward larger sizes and russet burbanks showing a mix of sizes.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Promoting gold potatoes could grow the entire potato category, says  John Pope, vice president of sales and marketing for Houston-based Mountain King Potatoes.

Farmer Mark returns to the small screen to finally catch the Big Idaho Potato Truck … or does he?

The Tasteful Selections brand makeover was met with enthusiasm at Fresh Summit, says Russell Wysocki, president and CEO of RPE Produce, Bancroft, Wis.

Steve Ottum, owner and chief operating officer of Potandon Produce, and Carter Bray, director of marketing and new product innovation, show off the company’s newest product, One Step … Done! microwaveable potatoes.