Alan Kahn is the new vice president of foodservice for the Idaho Potato Commission, Boise.
Kahn has more than 25 years of experience in foodservice, food marketing and new business development in the potato industry, according to a news release.
Kahn has worked for Ore-Ida Foods, McCain Foods USA and the J.R. Simplot Co., primarily involved in sales, marketing and new product development for retail and foodservice products, according to the release. At Simplot, he was involved in business acquisitions, corporate alliances, joint ventures and innovative foodservice product, according to the release.
“Alan’s impressive experience in the food industry, years spent working at three of Idaho’s biggest frozen French fry manufacturers, and deep knowledge of Idaho make him the ideal person to run the foodservice division at the Idaho Potato Commission,” Frank Muir, president and CEO of the commission, said in the release. “As more and more consumers are seeking healthy out-of-home dining options, getting Idaho potatoes – fresh, frozen and dehydrated – on the menu is becoming increasingly more important.”
Kahn has worked for Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. as director of sales for the Western U.S., working mainly with foodservice accounts. Before that, he was vice president of marketing for Clear Spring Foods.
Most recently, he was bureau chief of communications and marketing for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.
At the Idaho Potato Commission, he will supervise three promotions directors that visit distributors, produce houses and terminals markets throughout the U.S. He will also develop promotions, incentive contests, training programs, videos and educational materials, and will coordinate the commission’s presence at trade shows, according to the release.
