The latest for potatoes
Here's the latest news relating to potatoes!
Wisconsin’s organic potatoes got early boost from pandemic
Organic potato sales out of Wisconsin got an early booster shot from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, although sales later leveled off, suppliers said.
“When COVID started and the shutdown started, sales quadrupled and growers could barely keep up. So some finished up about two weeks earlier than normal,” said Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education with the Antigo-based Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.
The Idaho Grower Shipper Association has cancelled its 92nd annual convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was scheduled for Sept. 2-4 in Sun Valley, Idaho. It’s just the second time the annual potato convention has been cancelled; the 1945 convention was cancelled because of “war conditions,” according to an Aug. 3 statement from the Idaho Grower Shippers Association’s executive committee.
“While we have optimistically pushed forward with our preparations for the event, recent days have brought new concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic to our state and our industry’s businesses,” according to the release. “ … We know that this announcement will be received with disappointment, but please understand that this decision comes after much discussion and input from the industry, state leaders, local health officials, and the Sun Valley staff.”
Wisconsin potato grower-shippers seemed to be headed into a healthy market as they prepared to dig their first new-crop spuds.
As of July 17, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 50-pound cartons of norkotah potatoes from Central Wisconsin were $18.50-22.50 for size 40s; $18-22.50, 50, 60s and 70s; $18.50-21, 80s; $13-17, 90s; and $13-15, 100s. A year earlier, the same product was $16-17 for sizes 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s; $14-15, 80s; $11-13, 90s; and $10-13, 100s.
“Wisconsin will be able to provide quality new crop by early August at competitive prices that will allow retailers to run promotions on new-crop potatoes during the latter half of the summer months and into fall,” Christine Lindner said.
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has not slowed Wisconsin’s potato industry, said Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education with the Antigo-based Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.
“Wisconsin growers have been very fortunate as they have been able to continue producing food for families even with the challenges of the pandemic,” Rady said.
“COVID itself has not significantly impacted the number of acres planted in the state.”
Eagle Eye Produce starts shipping new-crop Idaho potatoes
Eagle Eye Produce, Idaho Falls, is shipping new crop russets, which will be followed shortly by harvesting of red and yellow potatoes.
Eagle Eye is introducing new pack styles with the new season, according to a news release, including Harvest Select half-and-half bags for russet, red and yellow potatoes. The company has a range of retail and foodservice packs under several brand names, with the option of private-label packs.
“Growing conditions for this upcoming crop have been excellent,” Coleman Oswald, director of sales, said in the release. “We are enthusiastic about what we are seeing in the fields at this point, and we are eager to get this new season underway.”
