Potatoes
More than 1,800 attendees and 175 exhibitors convened at the Colorado event.
Side Delights seeks to offer cost-saving and nutritious shopping solutions for potatoes, as consumers increasingly embrace small kitchen appliances.
Potato farmers from across Washington state will travel to Olympia, Wash., to celebrate Potato Day on Feb. 21.
All potato retail sales increased by 14.4% in 2022 but fell in volume by 1.5%, according to statistics published by Potatoes USA and compiled by IRI.
If consumers are looking to get the most bang for their buck, the potato category at their grocer is the place they should make sure they shop, says Carissa Olsen, president and CEO of NoKota Packers, Inc., Buxton, N.D.
A USDA retail price report showed the average advertised price for a 10-pound bag of russet potatoes on Feb. 3 was $4.72, up 4% from $4.53 the same time a year ago.
Despite elevated pricing for potatoes, retailers are learning that potatoes are still the “pound for pound” best value in the produce department, says Ross Johnson.
The biggest trend this year for OC Schulz & Sons Inc., Crystal, N.D., is the continued demand for yellow potatoes.
The most favored potato variety is still the russet, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey.
The volume of U.S. fresh potato exports jumped 10% in the calendar year 2022 despite an 8% drop in volume, USDA statistics reveal.
Known for its Crawfish B-Red potatoes, the company has added a 3-pound Crawfish Medley Pack and a 3-pound Crawfish Gold Pack.
Side Delights is promoting heart-healthy eating changes that can reduce the conditions that put consumers at risk.
The National Potato Council has released a “Spud Nation” report, which finds the potato supply chain drove $100.9 billion in U.S. economic activity and supported more than 714,000 jobs in 2021.
Several people were honored and their personalities celebrated as industry leaders prepared to advocate for potato-focused policies with legislators during the National Potato Council Washington Summit.
Eagle River Seed Farm and Potatoes USA have donated more than 600 pounds of potatoes to the Vilas Food Pantry in Eagle River, Wis.
Michigan State University scientists have been awarded $750,000 by the USDA to develop new ways to manage potato early die disease, which can reduce potato yields by 50%.
The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 research indicated that 62% of consumers said they purchased potatoes in the past year.
Despite a stretch of abnormally dry weather this summer, high-quality product and average yields are anticipated for Wisconsin potatoes.
2023 is a golden year for Alsum Farms & Produce.
Test digs at Alsum Farms of Wisconsin russet, red and yellow potato varieties are indicating a promising year, says Christine Lindner, marketing manager of the Friesland, Wis.-based marketer.
Potato growers in the Red River Valley are predicting an average-size crop this year with the usual high-quality red and yellow potatoes the region is known for producing.
The National Potato Council says it is against proposed legislation that it says would undermine or eliminate commodity checkoff programs.
Make room in the shopping cart for the mighty potato.
Ranking second only to tomatoes among vegetables in retail sales, U.S. retail potato sales topped $3.78 billion in 2022, up 15.3% compared with 2021.
Based on market conditions in early December, the 2023-24 season is setting up to be a very good year for potato promotions.
U.S. fresh potato exports soared 16% in the 12 months from October 2022 through September 2023, USDA trade numbers say.
The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 consumer survey reveals demographic variables in households that tend to point to higher fresh potato purchases.
Potato movement has been good throughout the Red River Valley at the start of this season.
NoKota Packers is locked and loaded for the 2023-24 season, says Carissa Olsen, president and CEO of the Buxton, N.D.-based marketer.
Great potato promotion opportunities for Idaho potatoes will abound in 2024, says Eric Beck, director of marketing for Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Wada Farms Marketing Group.