Idaho potatoes and Shuman Farms sweet onions came together for a “rooted rivalry” tailgate at the beginning of the football season.
The first-ever “Rooted Rivalry: Onions vs. Potatoes” tailgate was held at Georgia Southern University’s Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Ga., on Aug. 31.
“When you combine two amazing college football teams like Boise State and Georgia Southern playing for the first time and a tailgate taste-off between Idaho potatoes and sweet onions, you get the Rooted Rivalry, a ‘mash’ made in heaven,” Idaho Potato Commission President and CEO Jamey Higham said in a news release. “We’re always looking for unique and engaging opportunities to promote Idaho potatoes and this checked all of the boxes.”
“It was a first-time meeting on the football field for Georgia Southern and Boise State, but sharing a tailgate spread is a time-honored tradition for sweet onions and Idaho potatoes,” Shuman Farms President and CEO John Shuman said in the release. “Sharing delicious food and engaging with fans on how to include fresh produce in their game day dishes is a win all around.”
The Rooted Rivalry tailgate featired the Big Idaho Potato Truck and Shuman Farms’ Giant Sweet Onion parked at the entrance to Paulson Stadium. Both Eagles and Broncos fans snapped photos with Spuddy Buddy, played games to win sweet onion or potato swag and snacked on Idaho potato chips and Shuman Farms sweet onion dip, the release said.
The Rooted Rivalry continued during the game with an on-field race between fans to carry potatoes or onions the fastest from the 15-yard line into the end zone. Custom Rooted Rivalry T-shirts were thrown out to fans by the Georgia Southern cheer team, and the video board featured fast facts about Idaho potatoes and sweet onions throughout the game, according to the release.
The Big Idaho Potato Truck made several stops around Statesboro including the grand opening of Texas Roadhouse on Aug. 26 and at Food Lion on Aug. 30 where the truck’s Big Helping Charity, in partnership with Food Lion, donated $1,000 to the Friendship Baptist Church Food Bank in Statesboro. For every signature received on the truck’s signature board, $1 is earned for a charity chosen by the store. The Big Helping board received 1,000 signatures from shoppers throughout the day, the release said.
