The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 data reveals that the most common use of potatoes is as a side dish (82%), followed by using potatoes as an ingredient in recipes (62%).
The versatility of the potato was evident in the Fresh Trends shopper survey. Consumers who eat fresh potatoes reported the following uses:
- As a side dish — 82%.
- As an ingredient in a recipe — 62%.
- As a main dish — 34%.
- As an appetizer — 22%.
- As a snack — 16%.
- As a salad — 16%.
- As a dessert — 2.5%.
By income level, side dish usage is highest (86%) among households earning $50,000 to $100,000 annually.
Recipe ingredient usage for potatoes also peaks in the $50,000 to $100,000 income bracket (66%), according to Fresh Trends 2024.
According to The Packer’s research, potato side dish usage is highest for households with no dependent children (84%).
In terms of U.S. regions, Northeast consumers reported the highest side dish usage (86%), while Midwest shoppers reported mostly using potatoes as a main dish (39%).
In terms of differences among age groups, Fresh Trends 2024 revealed the aged 60 or older group reported the highest side-dish usage (90%), while consumers aged 30-39 age group mostly reported using potatoes most as a snack (23%) and the 18-29 age group mostly used potatoes most as an appetizer.
While white/Caucasian respondents show the highest overall potato usage, Fresh Trends 2024 reveals Asian consumers reported the highest usage as a main dish (46%) and recipe ingredient (70%).
