With increased focus on food security, inflation and health, potatoes continue to gain popularity and grow in demand, said Newport Beach, Calif.-based Fresh Solutions Network in a release.
“Inflation, supply restrictions, and food insecurity are top of mind for consumers right now, and Fresh Solutions Network farmers are growing their Side Delights brand of fresh potatoes that meet these needs,” Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, said in a release. “Currently the Russet market is extremely tight and will remain so until new crop becomes available.”
“The Network’s supply partner in Washington estimated a delay in harvest this year, but excellent growing conditions recently helped them catch up,” she continued. “In Idaho, we still have about a month or so to catch up, yet we are still estimating a week to 10-day delay in harvest. We continue to prioritize and plan carefully to meet our retail supply needs.”
Triou added that new crop red and yellow potatoes will become available in Washington starting next week.
According to the International Potato Center, COVID-19 drove up demand for potatoes in grocery stores due to the vegetable’s long shelf-life and affordability, noted Fresh Solutions Network in the release.
Demand remains strong, says the company, pointing to a recently released report from Mordor Intelligence titled, Potato Market – Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022-2027). The report found positive trends in the potato market, as potatoes continue to gain popularity during concerns over food security, inflation, supply constraints and health.
The four indicators of food security — food availability, food access, food use and quality, and production stability — have all been affected by recent events, putting additional strain on the already unstable global agri-food system, according to the release.
As a result, Fresh Solutions Network sees potatoes, which have historically played a role in ensuring food security as a reliable food source during challenging times, are once again increasing in demand.
Fresh Solutions Network is a group of independent, family-owned farms that grow, pack, sell and deliver fresh potatoes and onions to customers across the U.S.
