Burlington, Wash.-based Double-N Potatoes, a grower of premium, fresh-market colored potatoes in Washington’s Skagit Valley, expects similar acreage compared with last year, said Ryan Schols, chief financial officer.
Harvest will start the early half of September, he said.
“It’s a little too early to tell about potato sizing yet,” Schols said.
“Weather conditions were favorable through planting, but it’s been quite dry this season overall.”
According to the firm’s website, its flagship varieties include:
- White harmony;
- Purple majesty;
- Yellow satina; and
- Red chieftain.
The company markets its potatoes to wholesalers, retailers and foodservice distributors, he said.
Schols said he is optimistic about the coming season.
“We have knowledgeable and experienced growers who are growing in the Skagit Valley, an area already known for quality,” he said.
The firm has been successfully managing a tight labor market for several years, Schols said.
“We are automating some of our packing operation to reduce our labor requirements,” he said.
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Schols said the expectations are for a rebound in foodservice demand for fresh potatoes.
“We saw a strong retail demand with the 2020 crop,” he said. “We are hoping to see a resurgence of foodservice this upcoming year.”
While foodservice demand may not return to prepandemic levels by 2021, it is on the path to eventually fully recover, he said.
