Idaho

Global Appeal Offers Growing Opportunity for Idaho Potatoes

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:56:03 GMT

Exports play a significant role in Idaho’s potato industry. Ross Johnson, vice president of retail sales for the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission, estimates the state’s growers currently export almost 15% of their potato crop.

“Idaho continues to see the levels of exports increase as consumers appreciate the higher quality of our products,” he says.

The number of export markets the commission pursues is extensive.

“Our No. 1 export market is Mexico, where we are executing programs for fresh, frozen and dehydrated potatoes,” he says.

The commission sees ample opportunity in Mexico, as the customer base learns more about the russet variety.

“They are not used to seeing a brown skin on a potato,” he says. “Our marketing efforts seem to be working and driving consumers to explore the possibilities with Idaho russet potatoes.”

The commission also focuses its efforts in a few target countries in Asia.

“Our biggest target right now is Taiwan, where we are having great success in driving additional sales to Idaho,” Johnson says.

“Our campaigns have allowed us to explore opportunities to bring the fun to the potato departments in local retailers, and their customers are loving the higher quality of Idaho potatoes,” he adds.

Japan is another major focus for Idaho.

“We are having bilateral talks to understand the barriers and opportunities to begin a relationship,” Johnson says.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Central America, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the United Kingdom are other export destinations.

Exports make up a meaningful part of the business at Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Eagle Eye Produce, says Coleman Oswald, director of sales.

“It’s not a majority, but it’s an important and growing outlet for us beyond our domestic programs,” he says.

Export sales have been gradually increasing, he adds.

“Demand in certain markets has opened up more opportunities, and we’ve been able to grow that side of the business year over year,” Oswald says.

Eagle Eye Produce ships product into a mix of North American, Asian and Middle Eastern markets, as well as some other regions.

“It’s a diverse mix that helps us balance demand,” he says.

The company exports mostly russets, though there is interest in other varieties as well.

“Generally, smaller sizes are more popular in export programs,” Oswald says.

And certain customers request specific pack styles that best suit their distribution systems.

Price, regulatory requirements, paperwork and logistics, such as ocean freight and transit times, can also play a significant role in how easily product moves, Oswald says.

Idaho Falls-based Wada Farms Marketing Group exports a fair percentage of its potato crop to places like the Pacific Rim and Central America, says Eric Beck, marketing director. It’s important to carefully evaluate the markets where potatoes will be shipped, he says, because they will be sitting on a ship for what could be a lengthy period.

“We want to make sure we’re going to markets that can handle the transit time,” Beck says.

Russets are the company’s most popular potatoes for export, but foreign buyers also want some variety, he says.

International business also remains strong for Rexburg, Idaho-based Wilcox Fresh, says Derek Peterson, vice president of sales and operations.

The company exports about 20% of its tubers, mostly to Mexico and Asia-Pacific countries, he says.

Small yellow potatoes are a favorite among Asia-Pacific countries, he says.

The long shelf life of Idaho potatoes compared with potatoes from other states is one thing export buyers particularly appreciate when buying Idaho potatoes, Johnson says.

“Our marketing order holds our shippers to a higher standard than any other state, which has proven to make a difference for the receivers of Idaho products,” he says. “We continue to work to showcase why Idaho Potatoes really make a difference for produce departments all across the world.”

Idaho Potato Growers Anticipate a ‘Top-Notch’ Crop

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:24:06 GMT

This should be an outstanding year for Idaho potatoes, grower-shippers say.

“This year’s Idaho potato crop had absolutely idyllic growing conditions and has produced one of the highest-quality crops we have ever seen,” says Ross Johnson, vice president of retail sales for the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission.

“Supplies will be plentiful, and we will have over 13 billion pounds of potatoes to sell this year,” he says.

Idaho is the No. 1 grower of yellow potatoes and russets, and growers have come a long way with the quality of their red potatoes, he adds.

Wada Farms

“Quality is top-notch this year,” agrees Eric Beck, marketing director for Wada Farms Marketing Group, Idaho Falls, Idaho. That’s because of the state’s favorable growing and harvest conditions, he explains.

Size profiles cover the whole spectrum, and the company can offer “pretty much anything a retailer or foodservice distributor is looking for,” Beck says.

Volume will be up slightly at Wada Farms and throughout the industry because of good weather and good yields, he adds. The company, which ships potatoes year-round, grows all potato varieties, including russets, reds, yellows and chippers, and offers organic potatoes.

“Volume [of organic product] should be up slightly from last year with good quality and good size,” Beck says.

Eagle Eye Produce

Idaho Falls-based Eagle Eye Produce also offers year-round programs for red, yellow and russet potatoes, says Coleman Oswald, director of sales.

“Russets are still our top seller, but we’ve seen strong demand growth in yellows and reds over the past few years,” he says. “Yellow potatoes especially are seeing growing demand every year.”

Growing conditions were close to ideal this year, he says, and early quality was looking good coming out of storage.

“We have invested heavily in optical grading and sorting technology that uses AI to make sure the quality coming out of our facilities is strong,” he says.

Volume should be similar to last year at Eagle Eye Produce, with similar acreage and yields, Oswald says. The company also expects a good range of sizes.

Pleasant Valley Potato

Pleasant Valley Potato Inc., Aberdeen, Idaho, has packed russet potatoes exclusively for 38 years, says Ryan Wahlen, sales manager.

The company ships potatoes year-round, and it finished this year’s harvest around Oct. 7 with outstanding quality, he says.

“This has been a great year in terms of quality, yields and size profile,” he adds.

Volume might be up a bit this season because of a “fantastic growing season,” Wahlen says.

Potatoes don’t like triple-digit temperatures during the day, and they don’t like hot nights, either, he says.

“Cool nights give potatoes growth,” he says.

Wilcox Fresh

Rexburg, Idaho-based Wilcox Fresh grows red, yellow and russet varieties, says Derek Peterson, vice president of sales and operations. The company has enough tubers stored to last until the next crop year.

“Growing conditions were very good in our area of the state,” Peterson says. “We’re pleased with both yields and quality.”

Size of the potatoes also was satisfactory, he says, and the firm’s volume should be up slightly this year.

Pricing

Despite excellent quality and good yields this year, potato growers say current pricing leaves a lot to be desired.

Prices have been “horrible,” opines Wahlen of Pleasant Valley.

“Pricing is far below the cost of production,” he says. “So far, it’s been a rough year for the growers.”

Prices could improve a bit as the holidays approach, he says, but probably not enough to make much difference.

“When you’re operating at about 40% of the cost of production, you need a pretty big increase to make up that difference,” Wahlen says.

Inflation and rising costs also have impacted the entire industry, adds Beck of Wada Farms, who says costs for everything have risen.

Whether a company absorbs higher costs or passes them along is a challenge.

“We’re doing our best to keep costs in check for our customers, so they can budget and plan accordingly in their procurement strategies,” Beck says.

“There seems to be good supply, which, unfortunately, doesn’t translate into great pricing,” says Peterson of Wilcox Fresh.

One of the company’s main goals is to maximize returns to its growers.

“Hopefully, there’s opportunity for better returns for the growers in the future.” Peterson says.

The cost of every input, including packaging, equipment, fertilizer, labor and freight has risen sharply, and the market has not kept pace with those increases, says Oswald of Eagle Eye Produce.

“The potato market today is roughly where it was 10 years ago, while input prices have multiplied several times over,” he explains.

“Unfortunately, due to the very real influence of supply versus demand with our fresh commodities, we have not been successful in holding markets high enough to offset these costs, and farms are definitely hurting,” he adds.

Idaho Potatoes Perform Well in Foodservice

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:06:21 GMT

Idaho potato grower-shippers say their foodservice sales have rebounded after the COVID-19 downturn, and many say they haven’t suffered any new declines despite reports that higher costs are keeping consumers from dining out.

Their versatility has made Idaho potatoes a favorite among chefs, says Ryan Wahlen, sales manager for Pleasant Valley Potato Inc., Aberdeen, Idaho.

“Idaho potatoes are the most versatile of the potato varieties” he says.

The company does a lot of foodservice business, Wahlen explains, shipping operators red and yellow potatoes as well as fingerings.

“But the staple by far is russet potatoes,” he says. “And Idaho is the biggest share of that market.”

Russets are good for baking, french fries, hash browns or mashed.

Derek Peterson, vice president of sales and operations for Rexburg, Idaho-based Wilcox Fresh, says he has also found that russet potatoes, especially burbanks and norkotahs, are quite versatile at foodservice.

“The nice thing about burbanks and norkotahs is that both those varieties check a lot of boxes for chefs and retail customers,” he says.

But for the most part, all of the varieties the company grows are widely accepted among foodservice operators as well as retailers.

“Whether it’s a retail customer or foodservice, we try to give it the same level of attention,” Peterson says. “Everyone expects a quality item that is going to look good and taste good.”

Though the company’s foodservice customers typically order the same varieties retailers do, some chefs are particularly interested in specific characteristics, like flavor profile, texture or cooking qualities.

“We try to grow as good a variety as we can to address all those needs,” he says.

At Eagle Eye Produce in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Coleman Oswald, director of sales, says foodservice has rebounded well since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Overall, we’re seeing good movement in the foodservice sector,” he says.

But Oswald adds that inflation has put some pressure on restaurant traffic.

Wada Farms Marketing Group, Idaho Falls, also does significant foodservice business, according to Eric Beck, marketing director.

Now that the COVID-19 downturn is over in the foodservice sector, consumers must cope with the higher cost of dining out, he says.

“Consumers are adapting to the new price pressures that are out there,” he says.

Pleasant Valley’s Wahlen says he’s heard that traffic is down at some restaurants, but he says Pleasant Valley has not seen a measurable sales drop at foodservice.

Certain types of eateries might be experiencing sales slump, though, he adds.

“Some concepts are doing a lot of business and other might be struggling,” Wahlen says.

It’s hard to gauge how much of an effect, if any, a slump in foodservice sales has on the business at Wilcox Fresh, Peterson says.

“It’s not hitting our radar yet,” he says. “Demand seems relatively strong.”

Idaho Potato Commission Appoints Three New Commissioners

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:58:52 GMT

The Idaho Potato Commission announced the appointment of three new commissioners — Scott Mickelsen, Doug Ruff and Brad Russell — who were officially sworn in on Oct. 22. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and deep ties to Idaho’s potato industry.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scott, Doug and Brad to the commission,” says Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission. “Each of them brings invaluable experience, perspective and passion for Idaho’s potato industry. Their leadership will help ensure Idaho potatoes continue to set the standard for the quality customers expect and prefer.”

Scott Mickelsen is the business manager at Rigby Produce, where he brings decades of hands-on experience in the potato packing industry. Having grown up working alongside his father and brothers, Mickelsen has been immersed in Idaho’s potato business since childhood. A lifelong Idahoan, he’s proud to represent an industry that has been his family’s lifeblood for more than 60 years.

Brad Russell is the director of global potato procurement for Simplot Global Food, based in Boise, Idaho. With 28 years of experience in potato processing and procurement, including 10 years in fry processing and 18 years in procurement, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Idaho’s potato industry. A fifth-generation Idahoan and Oregon State University graduate, Russell and his family are proud to represent the state’s agricultural community and its long-standing potato heritage.

Doug Ruff is the owner and operator of Ruff Times Farms, which he runs alongside his sons. A third-generation Idaho farmer and University of Idaho graduate, Ruff also holds a CPA and brings a blend of business expertise and agricultural experience to the commission. He looks forward to helping promote and protect the state’s world-famous potato industry.

Nine commissioners represent Idaho potato growers, shippers and processors. They are nominated by industry peers and appointed by Governor Brad Little. The commissioners are:

Daren Bitter (chairman) – Bittersweet Farms
Brian Jones (vice chairman) – Sun Valley Potatoes
Eric Jemmett – J&S Farms, Inc.
Mark Darrington – Big D Farms
Brian Lundquist – Idahoan
Mike Telford – Sun Valley Seed
Scott Mickelsen – Rigby Produce
Brad Russell – Simplot
Doug Ruff – Ruff Times Farms

'The Astronaut' Commercial Stresses Importance of Idaho Potatoes

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:23:15 GMT

The Idaho Potato Commission launched the national run of its new television commercial, “The Astronaut,” on Oct. 27. The Commission described the commercial as designed to reinforce the value of the ‘Grown in Idaho’ seal. It also said the commercial illustrates IPC’s values in a lighthearted way.

In the 30-second spot, a man confesses to his date that he hasn’t been entirely genuine about being an astronaut or having a full head of hair. She easily shrugs it all off until he admits the potatoes he’s served aren’t really from Idaho either. That’s the final deal-breaker, and she storms off, delivering a crystal-clear message: Make sure you’re getting genuine Idaho potatoes, always look for the famous ‘Grown in Idaho’ seal.

“The commercial isn’t just entertaining, it carries an important message,” says Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission. “It reinforces the power of the Grown in Idaho seal, a symbol of authenticity, consistency and quality that our industry and growers deliver year after year through unmatched care, skill and dedication.”

The Astronaut first aired during the Boise State University vs. Air Force football game on Sept. 20 and began its national run on Oct. 27 across networks including TBS, TNT, Food Network, Discovery, HGTV, ID, Hallmark and TLC. The commercial is also available on streaming platforms such as HBO Max, Discovery+, Hulu/Disney+ and Tubi, and can be viewed anytime on the Idaho Potato Videos YouTube channel.

As Acreage Expands, Idaho-East Oregon Onion Crop Shows Promise

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:57:58 GMT

It looks like Idaho and East Oregon onion acreage will continue its upward trend in 2025.

Growers in the Snake River Valley, which runs through southwest Idaho and Malheur County in Oregon, planted 23,592 acres of onions in 2025, up from 22,583 acres in 2024, according to the National Onion Association. Annual production averages about 20 million 50-pound units, depending on weather and other conditions, says Greg Yielding, the association’s executive vice president.

Eagle Eye Produce

Onion harvest started the week of Aug. 4 in Idaho, Oregon and Washington for Iona, Idaho-based Eagle Eye Produce, says Joe Ange, director of onion sales.

“It’s a little earlier than usual thanks to near-ideal growing conditions,” he says. Harvest should continue into early October.

The company, which has a year-round onion program, will offer a complete line of red, yellow and white onions as well as sweet yellow onions in its Harvest Time label this season. Ange says acreage at Eagle Eye Produce is up slightly this year thanks to the acquisition of the Baker and Murakami warehouse in Ontario, Ore., and quality should be strong.

“Our growing teams are happy with what they are seeing,” he says.

Quality seems to be top notch on onions from Nyssa, Ore.-based Snake River Produce, says Kyle Erstrom, general manager. Planted acreage is similar to last year, and growing conditions have been good this season, he says.

(Photo courtesy of Snake River Produce)

Snake River Produce

At Nyssa, Ore.-based Snake River Produce, Kyle Erstrom, general manager, says he expects to have a very nice crop this year.

“Everything seems to be on schedule,” Erstrom explains. “We’re excited to get the season going.”

The company ships mainly yellow Spanish sweet onions and also has some red and white varieties.

The season is expected to get underway shortly after mid-August, and the company will ship storage onions as late as mid-April, Erstrom says.

Planted acreage is similar to last year at Snake River Produce, and growing conditions have been good this season with fairly mild weather and plenty of water, Erstrom says, adding that quality seems to be top notch.

Owyhee Produce

Parma, Idaho-based Owyhee Produce started harvesting onions July 1 and plans to keep onions coming from Idaho year-round, says Bailey Myers, agritourism and marketing director at the company, which grows, ships, packs and processes potatoes.

Owyhee Produce offers red, yellow and white potatoes and has a sweet red variety.

“Quality is looking good coming out of the fields now and going into storage and hitting the roads,” says Myers, who adds volume will be up slightly this year.

ICE Effect

President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals and immigration crackdowns are on the minds of onion shippers but don’t seem to have caused much of an impact yet.

Eagle Eye Produce had not experienced any labor disruptions as of early August, Ange says.

“We work with a consistent and reliable labor force that returns year after year,”
he adds.

The company would like to see a reliable, legal labor program that benefits migrant workers, growers and the country.

“A stable workforce keeps the food supply moving and helps make sure fresh produce stays affordable and available for everyone,” he says.

Owyhee Produce also would like to see a workable program with steps to enable migrants to have a process to either citizenship or a program for working legally, Myers says.

Snake River Produce is definitely worried about the potential for visits from ICE, Erstrom says.

“Whether they stop here or not, if they’re in the area, people are going to quit coming to work,” he says. “We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen, but we don’t have complete control over it.”

Tariff Talk

Tariffs have already had some effect on the cost of supplies such as packaging and fertilizer, Ange says.

“We have made some adjustments by working with more domestic suppliers or sourcing from places that are not impacted,” he says.

Eagle Eye Produce understands the intention behind Trump’s tariff policies and supports fair trade policies that benefit the U.S., he says.

“At the same time, tariffs can create uncertainty in the produce industry, where pricing and margins are already tight and logistics are already challenging.” Ange says. “Even small changes in input costs can have a big impact.”

Myers hopes any tariffs will be a good thing in the long run.

“The tariffs will have challenges for all companies, but we are hoping long term it will be helpful to the U.S. growers and companies,” she says.

Higher assessment rate proposed for Idaho and eastern Oregon potato growers

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 20:42:00 GMT

The USDA has issued a proposed rule that would raise the assessment rate for growers under the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Potato Committee for the first time since 2017.

The proposal would increase the assessment from $0.002 to $0.003 per hundredweight of potatoes handled under the marketing order, according to a notice. Comments on the proposed rule are due Oct. 28.

This proposed rule is issued under Marketing Agreement No. 98 and Marketing Order No. 945, both as amended, regulating the handling of potatoes grown in certain counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Ore.

At a June 5 meeting, the committee unanimously recommended 2024-25 fiscal period expenditures of $99,522 and an assessment rate of $0.003 per hundredweight of Idaho-Eastern Oregon potatoes handled under the order for the 2024-25 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods. In comparison, the budgeted expenditures for fiscal period 2023-24 were $99,703.

The committee recommended increasing the assessment rate to better align the assessment revenue with budgeted expenses and to replenish reserves that were depleted between August 2017 and June 2024, according to the notice.

The committee estimates shipments for the 2024-25 season to be approximately 34 million hundredweight, an increase from the 28.16 million hundredweight handled for the 2023-24 fiscal period.

Early Idaho potato crop outlook signals more promotion opportunities

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:33:52 GMT

The early numbers speak to a larger potato crop in Idaho for the 2023-24 season, and that means more affordable potatoes and greater promotion opportunities for retailers.

In June, the USDA estimated that 330,000 potato acres are planted in Idaho, up 12% from the previous year. The USDA said the harvested area in Idaho, at 329,500 acres, is also up 12% from the previous year.

The expanded potato area in Idaho contributed to expanded acreage in the U.S. in 2023, the USDA said.

While Oregon potato acreage was estimated at off 7%, Washington potato acreage, at 160,000 acres, was estimated up 3%, the USDA said.

Nationally, the area planted to potatoes is estimated at 949,000 acres, up 5% from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 941,900, also up 5% from 2022.

There was no official crop estimate for Idaho potato production as of Oct. 10, but shipment figures indicated ample Idaho potato supply.

Related: From dirt to dinner — Foodservice experts dive into Idaho potatoes

Idaho weekly potato truck shipments for the week of Sept. 24-30 were 1,089 (50,000-pound) truckloads, up 4% from the same week a year ago.

Season-to-date truck shipments of Idaho potatoes through Sept. 30 were 7,494 truckloads, up 12% from 6,695 truckloads at the same time a year ago. Total Idaho potato truckload shipments in the 2022-23 season were 55,903 truckloads, the USDA said.

Idaho accounted for about 36% of all fresh potato shipments for the week of Sept. 24-30, up from 33% the same week a year ago.

With bigger expected crop volumes, prices have been declining for Idaho potatoes in the late summer and early fall.

According to the USDA’s website, the average per-carton price for Idaho potatoes declined from a peak of $23.29 in early June to $20.46 on Aug. 12.

Declines were more dramatic in September, with the average per carton price in Idaho dropping to $13.69 on Sept. 2 to $10.15 on Sept. 30 and then to $10.02 on Oct. 7.

Strong promotion outlook

Growers are pleased with the quality and abundance of the Idaho potato crop, said Ross Johnson, vice president of retail and international for the Idaho Potato Commission , Eagle, Idaho.

“We have had really good weather, the perfect growing season and the perfect harvest season,” he said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better scenario for this year.”

Johnson said retailers will have great promotion opportunities this year.

In the 2022-23 marketing season, Idaho potato shippers dealt with a shorter supply and higher prices, in part because frozen and dehydrated processors were trying to buy up fresh potatoes for their processing needs. Due to that shortness of supply, retailers could not promote as much as they have in the past. Promotional opportunities will improve for the 2023-24 season, Johnson said.

“One of the things that we’ve really been focusing on with retailers is that we have not had this kind of an opportunity to promote in the last three years,” he said.

Federal student loan payments are expected to begin again in 2024 for millions of consumers after being paused since the start of the pandemic in 2020 — and consumers may be looking for ways to save money in their grocery budget, Johnson said.

“A lot of people are really going to be learning again how to save money, and they are going to be looking at what items in the store can help [them] save money,” he said.

Related: Another good year due for Red River Valley potatoes

Retailers can capitalize on the value that potatoes give consumers, Johnson said. For example, promoting 10-pound bags of potatoes over the holidays may be a good strategy.

“We’ve really seen that 10-pound bags have kind of taken a backseat to 5-pound bags being the most popular size,” he said. “But with the longevity that potatoes have in your home, potatoes really will last a while, and there’s a lot of different things that you can do with them.”

Russets are still the category leader for retailers, despite the popularity of yellow/gold potatoes and red potatoes.

“Russets are still the category leader; the opportunity to bring consumers into your store is through ads on russet potatoes, because that’s what resonates with consumers,” Johnson said.

Idaho suppliers can also provide an ample volume of yellow potatoes, he said.

“A lot of people don’t realize that Idaho is actually the No. 1 volume state for yellow potatoes,” Johnson said.

Looking ahead, Johnson said the Idaho Potato Commission has enhanced its Potato Lovers Month merchandising contest, which launches in February.

He said the commission will increase the number of grand prize winners in the contest this year from one to three. The grand prize winner is selected randomly from each of the commission’s retail representatives’ territories.

“It is a random drawing, which makes it fun for everybody,” Johnson said. Winners will receive a Traeger Grill and other grill accessories, he added.

Learn: More about potatoes from PMG

Export strength

Johnson said Idaho suppliers can ship into all of Mexico, and sales have been growing. The entire Mexican market opened to U.S. fresh potato exports May 2022.

“We have got a full marketing program running in-country, where we’re trying to communicate with consumers on the difference between an Idaho potato and a local Mexican-grown potato,” he said. “We’ve seen great traction with that, and retailers and chefs alike have really responded positively to the Idaho potato.”

Johnson said Idaho potato shippers expect to see volume to Mexico increasing.

“We really do have a cost advantage because of how sophisticated our growing and harvesting practices are here in Idaho, compared to what it is locally grown in Mexico,” he said, noting that Idaho also delivers high-quality potatoes to the Mexican market.

GPOD: Russet burbank supply in prime position for promotion

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:15:30 GMT

Shelley, Idaho-based GPOD of Idaho continues to be a premium supplier to all customers of the potato that made Idaho famous, says Ryan Bybee, sales manager.

GPOD exclusively markets Idaho russet burbank potatoes, with about 60% of the supplier’s volume going to the foodservice channel.

In general, the supply outlook for Idaho potatoes is much improved, Bybee said.

“The volume of acreage rebounded considerably from a year ago,” he said. “This gives Idaho many more good options while also creating some potential new challenges as a result of increased acreage and higher yields than a year ago.”

Bybee said the weather has been agreeable to bringing the crop into storage in good condition.

Related: Exploring fresh, not fried (yet) potatoes for foodservice

“The quality of the 2023 crop is outstanding,” he said, adding that retailers will have great options to promote Idaho potatoes.

Retailers should not be afraid to advertise, promote and work all the angles with their suppliers to market the “Famous Idaho Potato,” Bybee said.

“Idaho will be extremely aggressive in the marketplace this year with the options of packing high-quality and various packs,” he said.

“The challenge will be to get market volume, plate opportunities and shelf space back when it comes to the lack of raw product over the last two growing seasons to meet those demands,” he added. “Idaho will need to be forward-thinking and ambitious as we have the opportunity to meet the challenge.”

Idaho produce firm awarded federal contract

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 19:03:44 GMT

Boise, Idaho-based Grasmick Produce Co. Inc. has been awarded a maximum $25.5 million federal contract to supply fresh fruits and vegetables.

The contract was a competitive acquisition with two responses received, according to a news release. The five-year contract has no option periods, with the ordering period end date of May 5, 2029.

Customers for the contract are the Army, Air Force, and USDA schools and reservations, the release said. The type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, based in Philadelphia, the release said.

Photos: Day 1 of Idaho potato harvest tour

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:46:54 GMT

A former chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Eric Meisel of Gordon Food Service reveled in the mountain of potatoes — taller than three people standing on each other’s shoulders — in the shed at Wada Farms in Idaho Falls, Idaho .

“I’m going to go back home and make a presentation to my division of about 100 salespeople,” Meisel said on the tour bus between farm stops. “It will give them more education and appreciation for what they sell.”

Meisel, Gordon Food Service produce culinary specialist of the greater Ohio region, was part of a group of professionals in produce, foodservice, wholesale and broadline distribution on an Idaho Potato Commission harvest tour Sept. 25-27. About 30 people from as far as Washington state to Florida toured five farms, packinghouses and storage sheds.

They learned about russet burbank, russet norkotah, yellow goddess and red potatoes, among others, from the dirt to the poly bag, mesh bag or cardboard carton. The focus for this trip was on potatoes heading to foodservice customers.

These are some of the many sights and scenes caught on the first day of the tour.

Rigby Produce, Rigby, Idaho

(Farm Journal)

Bryan Mickelsen of Rigby Produce talked to the tour participants about how his dad and uncles started the company in the 1970s and how a nearby land and facility purchase a couple years ago has doubled the company’s capacity, today shipping about 3 million pounds of potatoes to the fresh market each day.

(Farm Journal)

Rigby Produce’s handles a mix of russet norkotah and russet burbank varieties.

(Farm Journal)

This Rigby Produce truck can hold about 150,000 pounds of potatoes.

Sun-Glo, Sugar City, Idaho

(Farm Journal)

Carson Crapo, 23, is part of the fifth generation to run his farm, Sun-Glo of Idaho, which has about 50,000 acres including cover crops like wheat. He is on one of 13 digging crews using a GPS-powered digger to harvest potatoes.

(Farm Journal)

The volcanic soil, cool evenings and arid climate make for a great potato growing, farmers in Idaho say.

(Farm Journal)

The Idaho Potato Commission tour group paused for a group shot at Sun-Glo’s potato field.

(Farm Journal)

Tron Crumly, who handles sales for Sun-Glo of Idaho, explained how the potato storage shed can hold about 7.5 million pounds of potatoes and that the metal pipes keep the pile ventilated.

“It’s just like a gaming joystick, this Spudnick piler,” Crumly said about the red-painted equipment that spread potatoes into the shed from a conveyor belt.

(Farm Journal)

Sun-Glo owner and manager Cade Crapo welcomed the tour group to his hangar for a cheeseburger lunch made with local beef and french fries from potatoes plucked from the dirt four hours earlier.

Bench Mark Potato Co., Rexburg, Idaho

(Farm Journal)

Kent Sutton shared about his family farm, which has about 375 acres, that’s part of the Bench Mark cooperative of five growers. They do about 85% foodservice and 15% retail, he said, harvesting about 4 million pounds of potatoes a day.

“We sell what we actually grow,” Sutton said. “It’s more than just a business. It’s a heritage. Family.”

(Farm Journal)

Amin Panjwani, who buys and sells potatoes and onions for S. Katzman Produce at Hunts Point Produce Market in New York, surveyed the potato sizes and quality at the Bench Mark facility.

(Farm Journal)

For many growers, like those part of Bench Mark, russet norkotah potatoes are becoming more popular.

(Farm Journal)

Kent Sutton of Bench Mark showed the tour group the poem his daughter wrote, copied on the wall of the packing shed office hallway.

From dirt to dinner: Foodservice experts dive into Idaho potatoes

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 13:03:56 GMT

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Eric Meisel wants to create the right flavors for his restaurant customers in the greater Ohio region.

And one way to best meet their needs is to learn about ingredients and stay on top of trends, which led Meisel to this day on Sept. 27 — the day he stood inches from a mountain of yellow goddess potatoes, piled three-people high inside a storage shed at Wada Farms in Idaho.

“I help independent restaurants update their ingredients for dishes and make new recipes. I create dishes that require less kitchen labor,” Meisel said while riding on a tour bus with 30 people on the Idaho Potato Commission’s harvest tour focusing on fresh potatoes for foodservice. Formerly a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, Meisel now works as a culinary specialist for Gordon Food Service.

Potato primer

As striated farm fields of brown resembling corrugated cardboard flew by in a blur outside the bus window, the tour participants listened to Idaho potato facts and history from Alan Kahn, the commission’s vice president of foodservice. Between quips in his signature deadpan delivery, Kahn shared that more than 94% of fresh potatoes are the russet variety, and Idaho supplies one-third of potatoes consumed in the U.S.

The ancestors of almost all potatoes originated from the Andes Mountains of Peru, where they adapted to the high elevation, warm days, cool nights, dry air and mineral-rich soil — similar to conditions found these days in Idaho, he said.

“This part of the state has volcanic soil that potatoes love, 280 days of sunshine a year and we’re 100% irrigated from an underground aquifer north of here that’s the size of Lake Erie,” Kahn said. “There are a lot of growers here with straws to the ground, drawing from that.”

In any given year, those Idaho potato growers harvest between 300,000 and 320,000 acres of potatoes, averaging 13.5 billion pounds of Idaho potatoes per year, according to the commission.

(Farm Journal)

The 2023-24 growing season has been a banner year, producing 328,000 acres of Idaho potatoes — up about 13% over last year, which should amount to about 14 billion pounds, said Armand Lobato, the commission’s foodservice promotion director for the Western U.S.

“Our closest competitor is Colorado, but that’s 50,000 acres,” Lobato said.

About 60% of Idaho’s crop is processed for frozen and dehydrated uses, and the remaining 40% is for the fresh market, split evenly between retail and foodservice, he said.

The tour participants included representatives from Bloomin’ Brands, Darden Restaurants, US Foods, Chef’s Warehouse, Gordon Food Service, S. Katzman Produce of New York and a hotel management company who were interested in the growing trends of specific varieties, what their characteristics are and how it applies to foodservice needs.

The five grower-marketer-shippers that opened their fields, offices, sheds and packing houses to the tour — Rigby Produce in Rigby, Sun-Glo of Idaho in Sugar City, Bench Mark Potato in Rexburg, Pleasant Valley Potato in Aberdeen and Wada Farms in Idaho Falls — shared their experience.

From the potato growers

Most of the growers said the same thing about the two most common varietals of russet: Burbank is losing ground to norkotah.

Burbanks have enjoyed top status since the early 1900s for its lower water content and thus firmer texture that holds up well in cooking.

There’s been a big shift since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kent Sutton, whose 375-acre family farm is part of the Rexburg-based Bench Mark cooperative of five growers. Bench Mark harvests about 4 million pounds of potatoes a day for customers that are 85% foodservice and 15% retail.

“For the first time we’re giving over to the dark side and growing more norkotah. They’re easier to grow, and they pack out easier,” Sutton told the group. However, he will still grow burbanks for customers who want it for the taste and can ignore the deformities when distressed.

Emily Painter from Pacific Coast Fruit Co., Portland, Ore., said she didn’t realize all the differences between russet burbanks and russet norkotahs until joining this tour because burbanks are the preferred variety in Washington state.

“It was interesting to learn how burbanks are the more desirable variety for foodservice,” Painter said. “We’re looking to boost our foodservice business in Seattle, so I’ll take that home to my sales team.”

(Farm Journal)

In Aberdeen, Pleasant Valley Potato is supplied about 270 million pounds of potatoes each year by four partner farms. Leading the company’s operations, Eric Wahlen shared with the group how his grandfather came from Sweden, arriving to Idaho on a motorcycle to homestead in 1913. When he died in middle age, Wahlen’s father, then 13, and his father’s older brother took turns running the farm and attending school.

Potato tradition remains in Aberdeen, where upper grade schools still close at harvest time so the teens can help with the potato harvest for two weeks, Wahlen said.

“We’ve always run more norkotahs than burbank. Our focus in this shed is foodservice. Our growers are always trying to grow for size but sometimes certain fields don’t cooperate,” he said, pointing to the conveyor belt of potatoes rolling by in the sorting, grading, cleaning and packing house, shooting off into the designated departments. “These we’ve just harvested this morning.”

Mikal Jones, a culinary student who won a Café Conference scholarship to attend the tour trip, stared and laughed when he saw a potato box labeled InFront Produce, as it’s for Outback Steakhouse. He wants to be a personal chef and TV personality in the culinary world and already partners with major brands for social media posts.

“I’ve never seen a harvest,” Jones said. “When you see the work and dedication people put into this, it’s crazy.”

(Farm Journal)

After a field walk in Sugar City, Sun-Glo of Idaho growers took the tour group into a storage shed that can house up to 7.5 million pounds of potatoes. Participants climbed stairs to reach the top of the potato mountain and pose for photographs.

“This is how Idaho does it year-round and does it well. We won’t run out this year,” said Tron Crumly, who handles sales for Sun-Glo.

Later, the crew lunched in an airplane hangar where two women from the owning family made French fries from potatoes harvested four hours earlier.

Committee shares promotion plans for Idaho-Eastern Oregon onions

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:22:18 GMT

The Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee is promoting the region’s onions in various high-profile ways, says Candi Fitch, executive director.

“Along with the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee’s 2024-25 advertising campaign, the committee will be exhibiting in September at the Americas Food and Beverage Show in Miami and the [International Fresh Produce Association’s] Global Produce and Floral Show in October in Atlanta.” Fitch said.

In addition, the committee will be hosting buyers to visit the Idaho and Eastern Oregon onion-growing region with its Annual VIP Onion Buyers Tour that will take place from Oct. 3-5, Fitch said.

Fitch said the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee has been successful for several years in obtaining specialty crop block grants that the committee uses for export promotions. The committee has a yellow onion promotion in Mexico that it has offered for several years.

Why Idaho and Oregon are onion superstars

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:10:08 GMT

Idaho and Oregon are unrivaled onion powerhouses among U.S. onion-producing regions.

In 2023, Idaho domestic truck shipments totaled 575.2 million pounds, with export truck shipments from the state accounting for 24.4 million pounds. Oregon wasn’t far behind, with the state accounting for 385.8 million pounds of domestic truck shipments and 44.3 million pounds of export truck shipments.

Idaho’s combined domestic and export truck shipments of onions totaled more than 599 million pounds in 2023, up 16% from 515.9 million pounds in 2022. Oregon’s combined domestic and export shipments topped 429 million pounds in 2023, up 8% from 398 million pounds in 2022.

Idaho and Oregon shippers moved onions every month of 2023, with peak supply from September through April.

In 2023, Idaho accounted for 14% of the U.S. domestic shipments and Oregon accounted for 10%.

Together the states accounted for about 1 in 4 domestic onions shipped in 2023.

The USDA reported the average per carton price for Idaho-Malheur County for onions in 2023-24:

Sept. 2, 2023 — $11.25.
Oct. 7, 2023 — $10.88.
Nov. 4, 2023 — $10.
Dec. 2, 2023 — $12.16.
Jan. 6, 2024 — $20.19.
Feb. 3, 2024 — $18.42.
March 2, 2024 — $19.17.
April 6, 2024 — $19.75.

Owyhee Produce starts 2024 harvest

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 20:21:36 GMT

Owyhee Produce has started its 2024 onion harvest and is shipping out of its Parma, Idaho, location.

“We have significantly increased our onion acreage and are hopeful for the outcome of the season even with Mother Nature’s curveballs,” said Bailey Myers-Hartley, marketing director for Owyhee Produce .

The company is a third-generation onion grower-shipper-packer and is offering peeled onions as well, she said.

“We strive to make a difference in every step of the process that leaves our customers and consumers knowing there’s a difference with Owyhee Produce,” Myers-Hartley said. “We have been farming for 70 years this year and are proud to carry on many of the same traditions Grandpa Owen taught us. With this being 70th anniversary of the farm, we are celebrating the milestone and doing our best to plan for the next 70 years.”

Owyhee Produce can provide customizable packaging including sticker onions, 3-pound, 5-pound options and more, Myers-Hartley said.

“We have some elite packs coming available that will help promote Idaho eastern Oregon onions and are looking forward to the upcoming food shows and events,” she said.

Owyhee Produce has added three new sales team members: Bryan Hewett, Melissa Anderson and Brian Foster, she said. Hewett comes to the company from the foodservice broadliner world with more than 25 years of sales experience and is a trained chef.

Idaho refrigerated truck rates slightly elevated from year-ago levels

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:21:17 GMT

Refrigerated truck rates from Idaho to major markets throughout the country reflected slightly higher rates compared with a year ago.

The USDA reported the range for refrigerated truck rates from Idaho to Atlanta the week of Aug. 7 was $4,700 to $5,400. That is up from a range of $4,125 to $5,000 at the same time a year ago.

Rates from Idaho to Baltimore were reported by the USDA from $6,200 to $6,700 the week of Aug. 7, up from $5,200 to $6,120 a year ago.

Refrigerated truck rates from Idaho to Chicago on Aug. 7 were reported in a range of $3,200 to $3,700, the USDA said, similar to the $3,150 to $3,800 range at the same time a year ago.

Rates to Los Angeles were reported from $2,000 to $2,800 on Aug. 7, close to $2,100 to $2,500 the same week last year.

Rates from Idaho to New York were in a range from $6,000 to $7,000 on Aug. 7, much like the $6,300 to $7,000 range the same time a year ago.

Eagle Eye Produce reports strong quality for 2024 onions

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 20:53:44 GMT

Despite weather challenges in the growing season, Eagle Eye Produce reports excellent sizing for its 2024 onion harvest.

Dallin Klingler, marketing and communications for Eagle Eye Produce , Idaho Falls, Idaho, said the firm’s acreage is consistent with 2023.

“Although we faced some unique challenges, including hailstorms, extended periods of 100-degree-plus weather, and a straight-line microburst, we’re pleased to see that our yield is holding steady,” Klingler said. “Harvesting has just begun in the Idaho-Eastern Oregon region, and we’re excited to report that sizing is excellent. We will have yellow, red, and white onions available in all pack sizes under our Harvest Select label, and we’re confident in meeting the size profiles that satisfy customer demand and expectations.”

Onions offer a great value to consumers, Klingler said.

“With prices going up on almost everything, onions are one of the few staples that still offer great value,” he said. “Retailers can make the most of this by promoting onions as a budget-friendly option and sharing simple recipes to help shoppers use them in everyday meals.”

In addition, tips on how to store onions can encourage buying in bulk, especially when retailers offer deals and show how to keep them fresh longer, he said.

“Shoppers today also care more about where their food comes from,” Klingler said. “Retailers can grab attention by sharing the story behind their onions, like where they’re grown and how they get to the store. And since people want convenience, making onions easy to find and buy online, along with offering recipe ideas or meal kits, could really boost sales this season.”

Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee offers tools to retail and foodservice buyers

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 20:33:23 GMT

The Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee aims to increase the consumption of the two states’ onions through promotional programs, education, advertising and other communications.

The group represents more than 200 growers and 30 shippers in Southwestern Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, according to its website. The Idaho-Eastern Oregon growing region is located along the Snake River on the southwest portion of Idaho and Malheur County.

Each year the committee offers:

Foodservice and retail materials — Printed information is available that covers, prep tips, yields, sizing, storage, recipes and more.
Full-color POS merchandise material.
Recipe cards for consumers and foodservice — An online cookbook on the group’s website and a printed cookbook are free of charge upon request with no shipping added.
Educational material — Coloring sheets for kids and printed information for the classroom are available by request.

Growers in the Snake River Valley plant approximately 21,000 acres every year, with the combination of the valley’s climate and soil creating favorable growing conditions for third and fourth-generation farmers to harvest more than 24,000 (40-pound) car lots annually, according to the committee.

Growers in the region plant yellow, red and white varieties of sweet Spanish seed. The crop is planted in March and April, and harvest begins in August and continues into October. Yellow onions account for approximately 90% of the acreage, according to the group.

Premium-quality Idaho-Eastern Oregon onions are available from August to March/April from storage facilities in the region.

The USDA estimated total harvested onion acreage in Idaho in 2023 was 10,900, up from 10,600 in 2022 and about the same area harvested as 2021. Oregon harvested onion acreage for the whole state, including but not limited to Malheur County, was 20,900 acres in 2023, down from 22,700 acres in 2022 and off from 21,800 acres in 2021.

Eagle Eye storage tech investments prolong red potato season

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:36:48 GMT

Eagle Eye Produce , Idaho Falls, Idaho, continues to ship Idaho-grown red potatoes , thanks to investments in storage technology.

“Historically, the storage crop Idaho-grown red potatoes during this time of year see pressure bruising and the quality dips below strict guidelines to where suppliers look to pull from other regions,” Jared Neville, commodity director, said in a news release. “This new proprietary storage method has allowed us to better control our quality to where we can continue to sell our local product.”

With a prolonged season, Eagle Eye’s red potatoes are integrated with its other year-round programs. The facility allows for one-stop shopping, with Idaho russets, reds, yellows and value-added products available.

“We are proud to be able to continue to supply our customers directly with product grown, packed, and shipped by us,” Neville said in the release.

The company offers retail and foodservice pack styles under several brands names, with private label packing available, and a national sales and marketing team to support a global customer base, according to the release.

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Dick Symms remembered for growing Idaho business

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:40:36 GMT

Richard “Dick” Allen Symms, who led and grew the family business, Symms Fruit Ranch, Caldwell, Idaho, died July 13. He was 84.

Symms grew up in Idaho and joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the University of Idaho in 1957. He was honorably discharged in 1961, according to an obituary.

Symms and wife Nancy settled in Caldwell and he joined the family business. He helped Symms Fruit Ranch grow into the largest fruit company in Idaho, according to the obituary. He would fly his Cessna across the country to meet with buyers, and established an export business, shipping to more than 35 countries in Europe and Asia, according to the obituary.

He served on numerous local, regional and federal organizations and was active in the community, serving in positions at the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association, the state’s apple and cherry commissions, the Northwest Horticultural Council and numerous local business and church groups, according to the release.

A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Mountain on July 17 at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell. The service will be broadcast live at through the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial to The Hope House in Marsing, Idaho, and Deer Flat Church in Caldwell.

Eagle Eye Produce shipping new crop onions

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:35 GMT

Eagle Eye Produce , Idaho Falls, is shipping new crop yellow and red onions , with white onions to follow soon.

Harvest is in the Snake River Valley in Idaho and Eastern Oregon, and will continue until early September, according to a news release.

“This season has been ideal for growing onions,” Jason Pearson, director of onion sales, said in the release. “We have had the perfect amount of moisture, sun and heat. We are expecting excellent size and quality this year and are looking forward to a great season.”

The yellow onion harvest in Washington has begun, to be followed by red and white onions.

“Our Washington onion supply and quality looks terrific, and we’re looking forward to an overall increase in our capabilities and output for the new season,” Joe Ange, director of business development, said in the release.

The company markets under the Eagle Eye Produce label, and offers private-label packing. Packaging is available for sizes ranging from 2-pound mesh bags up to bulk cartons and bins.

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Idaho potato group cancels Sun Valley convention

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:07:17 GMT

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.”

The statement said the group didn’t have the confidence that had the event continued, even with safety measures in place, it would have delivered the “exceptional experience that defines the IGSA Convention.”

Some attendees still plan to visit the Sun Valley Resort, where the event is scheduled every year, according to the statement. The resort will honor the association’s discounted room rates for Aug. 31-Sept. 5.

Details about sponsorship and registration refunds and/or credits will be made available later, according to the statement.

For more coverage on how the COVID-19 pandmic has affected the industry, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage .

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Eagle Eye Produce starts shipping new-crop Idaho potatoes

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:40 GMT

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.”

Eagle Eye Produce owns and operates warehouses and packing facilities in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and California, according to the release.

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Variety mix largely unchanged in Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion business

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:36:14 GMT

Onion grower-shippers say choice is a major part of their program, including a range of sizes and varieties and, to some extent, organics.

“There is such a variety of quality sweet Spanish onion varieties that is is difficult to state what’s ‘hot’ or on-trend,” said Herb Haun, owner of Weister, Idaho-based Haun Packing and promotion committee chairman of the Parma, Idaho-based Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee .

“Buyers are always looking for single-centered onions, and many varieties grown in the area yield large volumes of single centers.”

Some shippers promote certain varieties; others emphasize quality, size or other attributes, including — to a limited extent — organics, Haun said.

Some shippers ensure they have plenty of the most popular varieties on hand.

“The trusted storage varieties continue to be customer favorites — legends, delgado and redwing,” said Mackenzie Mills, account manager with Bancroft, Wis.-based RPE Inc .

Some are always looking for new varieties to add to their mix.

“We are always screening new varieties for what fits our program and agronomic conditions,” said Cameron Skeen, partner at Ontario, Ore.-based Baker & Murakami Produce Co.

Growers in the network of Parma, Idaho-based Snake River Produce Co. LLC provide a mix of varieties of yellow, red, white and sweet onions, said Tiffany Cruickshank, sales and marketing representative at Snake River Produce.

“Our Snake River Sweet 40-pound stickered box containing a more mild, but still globe-shaped onion, has been gaining popularity, and I see that continuing with the higher retail demand,” Cruickshank said.

“We also plan to offer sweet onions in smaller consumer packages this season.”

Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Eagle Eye Produce plans this year to largely stick with the same varieties as it has in previous years, said Dallin Klingler, marketing/communications manager.

“However, we are always running trials on new varieties, and we have seen some promising results this year with those trials on a larger scale,” he said.

Eagle Eye’s varieties produce consistent onions, use fewer inputs, and offer higher yields per-acre than ever before, Klingler said.

“We’re excited to have a good supply of yellows, reds, whites, and shallots if needed once harvest begins in early August,” he said.

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Idaho potato industry adjusts to pandemic’s blow to foodservice

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:50:31 GMT

Potato sales have taken a big turn toward the retail channel during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and suppliers of Idaho spuds have adapted, says Alan Kahn, vice president of foodservice for the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission.

“The demand for potatoes has tilted to retail, and therefore many of these potatoes have been absorbed by the retail markets, as demand for foodservice product dropped,” he said.

In spite of curbs and outright closures of restaurants during the pandemic, the commission has worked to keep potatoes flowing into the foodservice channel, Kahn said.

“We continue to keep in contact with our customers to offer any support needed, be it training, promotional, assistance with menu simplification, new recipes and ideas for restaurant items that are both portable and profitable, etc.,” Kahn said.

The IPC is promoting the idea of “innovative value” to foodservice operators, whereby they can address the delivery and takeout needs with potatoes, while simplifying their menus, continuing to innovate and drive profitability, Kahn said.

“We have even re-started in-person trainings for our distributor customers, as customers will allow, in order to help distributor sales staffs increase their knowledge of Idaho potatoes and be a better resource for their operator customers,” he said.

The commission has modified distributor promotions, as it recognizes “structural changes in the industry and the changes in business dynamics,” and works to “fully support customers’ rebound,” Kahn said.

For example, the commission is conducting webinars with foodservice operators to help them “drive” key issues, such as “simplification, portability, profitability and innovation,” Kahn said, noting that there’s also a new training video for operators that shows them how easy it is to make fresh-cut french fries, which are “very profitable for them.”

The commission also recently developed a training piece on homemade potato chips, which, Kahn notes, also are a profitable item.

“We have also developed a new Recipe Profit Calculator on our website, which helps operators calculate profit and the opportunities with Idaho potatoes,” Kahn said.

“Additionally, we have just started our first foodservice quarterly e-newsletter (The Latest Dish) to help operators improve their business.”

The newsletter, which is currently distributed to more than 5,000 readers, features recipe ideas, storage tips, recipe profit calculator, input from IPC consulting chef Adam Moore and tips for takeout and delivery items, Kahn said.

Kahn noted that more than 100,000 restaurants had closed and there were 3 million fewer foodservice employees now than before the pandemic, but the quick-service category actually was up by 4.9% in the third quarter.

By contrast, the other foodservice segments, such as full-service, were down 21.7% overall in Q3, Kahn said, quoting data from Black Box Intelligence.

Kahn said he didn’t know specifically how the pandemic and resulting closures had affected the fingerling segment, which relies heavily on foodservice.

“What I can tell you is that we are promoting fingerlings in our advertising and in our upcoming 2021 Foodservice Chef Calendar, along with all other varieties,” Kahn said.

“The point here is that Idaho has more than just russets; we have a full complement of specialty varieties.”

The economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis has drawn comparisons to the 2008 Great Recession, but there are important differences where foodservice is concerned, Kahn said.

“In 2008, people still went out to eat; they just traded down,” he said. “Instead of, say, going to a fine-dining establishment, they may have gone to a casual-dining restaurant or fast-casual operator. Now, 45% of consumers avoid eating out, according to Datassentials.”

He also pointed out that locations weren’t ordered to be closed — or have limited seating — and conventions, cruises, sports venues, trade shows, state fairs, theme parks, schools and other institutions and businesses continued to operate as normal.

“People were still consuming food at those locations,” he said. “People were still taking vacations, but likely traded down. People weren’t scared or nervous about going out to eat. They didn’t fear for their health before — now they do.”

The market for large potatoes took a hit with the closures and curbs in the restaurant sector, but things have been working toward more equilibrium, Kahn said.

“I know at first, early on in the pandemic, some (large potatoes) were moved to the retail channel,” he said.

“Foodservice distributors created partnerships with retailers to keep both inventories moving and keep retailers stocked. I believe the current situation between large potatoes, retail business and foodservice business is in balance, albeit very dynamic from day to day.”

The IPC has used social media to promote Idaho spuds for foodservice consumption, Kahn said. He cited, as examples, the Restaurants Rise Webinar, in which the IPC provided foodservice operators with ideas on improving their business by using Idaho potatoes, which was attended by several hundred operators; and the Kitchen Collaborative — a collaborative effort to develop new items with Idaho potatoes by nationally recognized foodservice chefs. Both have been promoted in social media, Kahn said.

Some schools’ move to online programs has been a blow to institutional sales, Kahn said.

“As you know, many schools, colleges and universities have gone to online learning; this has a significant negative affect on the foodservice business at these locations,” Kahn said.

“The retail potato business in fresh, frozen and dehydrated has been the beneficiary of this, so while people may not be consuming foods in/at school, they still have to eat.”

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Idaho-Eastern Oregon growers anticipate normal crop quality, yields

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:36:18 GMT

Though “normal” likely would be the last way one might describe 2020 across the produce industry, thanks to the new coronavirus, onion suppliers across the Idaho-Eastern Oregon region say they can at least expect some normality in their crops this year.

“The Idaho-Eastern Oregon 2021 crop is expected to have exceptional quality this season,” said Herb Haun, owner of Weiser, Idaho-based Haun Packing and promotion committee chairman of the Parma, Idaho-based Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee .

“Most all acres were planted within normal timeframes and the weather this summer has been nearly ideal.”

Hot weather arrived in July, which served to help the onions “finish well,” Haun said.

He added that some of the region’s growers started harvesting in late July, and the area as a whole likely would be “full steam” by mid- to late August.

That’s a normal timeframe, he said.

The region generally starts shipping early varieties and, in September, the storage varieties shipments will start, Haun said.

Yields should be in the normal range, as well, Haun said.

Idaho-Eastern Oregon typically ships between August and April, with some shippers going into May, Haun said.

“The crops in Idaho-Eastern Oregon are on track for harvest, with early onions currently being harvested and storage crop onions to follow in August,” said Mackenzie Mills, account manager with Bancroft, Wis.-based RPE Inc ., which supplies onions out of the region.

“Over-winter yellow and red onions are presently available from a couple growers in the basin.”

As of July 30, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 50-pound sacks of yellow hybrid onions out of the Columbia Basin in Washington and the Umatilla Basin in Oregon were $9-10 for colossal; $8-9, jumbo; and $10-11, medium. A year earlier, the same product was $15-17 for colossal; $13-16, jumbo; and $10-12, medium.

What that means, as Idaho-Eastern Oregon’s season kicks in, is anyone’s guess, particularly this year, said Cameron Skeen, partner with Ontario, Ore.-based grower-shipper Baker & Murakami Produce Co .

“With the amount of uncertainty we are living with economically each and every day, it creates all sorts of feelings in regards to what may happen this marketing season,” Skeen said.

“I don’t know if anyone can accurately predict what the next eight to 10 months will bring.”

And, he said, that follows a “rough go” for the 2019 crop.

“Mother Nature dealt us some heavy blows both at planting and harvest,” he said. “On top of that, we had the pandemic outbreak in the spring, which really hampered our ability to move product timely.”

At Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Wada Farms , plants were “about the same” as in previous years, said John Vlahandreas, onion program director.

“Weather has been ideal so far, so (we) are seeing some early onions being available in the Treasure Valley,” he said.

Most shippers will be in about Aug. 10, which is normal, Vlahandreas said.

“If the weather holds, we should have a bumper crop coming, but that is really too early to tell,” he said.

“So far, it looks like we will be in good shape for a late run through April.”

He did add a caveat.

“Last year the weather turned cold literally overnight and damaged some of the onions that were destined for the latter part of the season,” he said.

Baker & Murakami’s Skeen said 2020 provided a “fairly traditional” growing season through late July.

“Onions were planted in their normal window and, other than some higher-than-normal rainfall in May and June, things have been fairly normal based on historical growing degree days.”

Last year, volume was down due to the harsh harvesting conditions caused by numerous hard freezes, Skeen said.

Things seemed a bit more optimistic this year, Skeen said July 27.

“As of today’s date, we are anticipating normal volume — just like we were last year at this time,” he said. “We still have quite a bit of race to run, and anything can still happen.”

Baker & Murakami started packing around Aug. 3, which would be within its normal timeframe, and expected to finish in late April, Skeen said.

The crop was looking “very nice” at Parma, Idaho-based Snake River Produce Co. LLC , said Tiffany Cruickshank, transportation manager, who also fills a sales and marketing role.

“Weather has been near ideal with very healthy fields and we anticipate beginning harvest in approximately three weeks, which is fairly normal,” she said in late July.

Snake River Produce traditionally ships from August to April, but this year’s pandemic affected the end of the company’s 2019-20 season, with a “sudden drop-off of demand,” Cruickshank said.

“I do anticipate our 2020 crop to be on time and continue through the traditional season,” she said.

The growing season in eastern Oregon has been “ideal” for Idaho Falls-based Eagle Eye Produce , said Dallin Klingler, marketing/communications manager.

“We have had mild temperatures and a lot of sun,” he said.

Eagle Eye started planting in early March and began harvesting in the first week of August, which is on schedule, Klingler said.

“Our volume and acreage have remained stable, and we’re expecting a great yield, quality, and size from this year’s crops,” he said.

Corey Griswold, CEO at Hailey, Idaho-based ProSource Inc ., said its crop was looking “exceptional” and that the company anticipates “a consistent size profile across the board.”

Timing appeared to be normal, “and our fields and varieties are staged for harvest according to our marketing and storage needs,” he said.

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Checking in on the Idaho-eastern Oregon onion harvest, The Packer’s Tom Karst visited Aug. 12 with Shay Myers, CEO of Parma, Idaho-based Owyhee Produce .

“The crop has finished out very nicely, in some cases earlier than normal,” he said. “Yields are down a little bit from what our expectations were, but the quality should be phenomenal.”

Harvest began July 17 and may continue through September, he said.

Myers talks about minor crop adjustments that growers have made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the market outlook going forward.

“The food box program has had an incredibly good effect on onions,” Myers said. “Everyone likes to put onions in the box; they store well, they ship well and they are inexpensive.”

There is uncertainty ahead, he believes, but also reasons for optimism.

“It it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; you can be a orthodontist or a podiatrist or a farmer or restaurant operators, no matter what you’re doing, you’re dealing with some significant volatility and so it’s hard to be super optimistic,” he said. “The one thing that I can be optimistic about is I think those of us that are in the game 24 months from now, we will be in the best position that we’ve been in for a decade.”

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