The Idaho Potato Commission is marking its 70th anniversary this year. Formed in May 1937 and originally (and only briefly) known as the Idaho Fruit &Vegetable Advertising Commission, the IPC has been actively promoting Idaho potatoes since its inception.
It was "the first organization formed in Idaho to promote any type of produce"and "one of the earliest commodity organizations"formed in the United States, said Frank Muir, the commission's president.
In honor of IPC's 70-year milestone, the U.S. House of Representatives "named the month of May Idaho Potato Month, and President Bush sent us a letter that he had signed congratulating us and recognizing Idaho potatoes as one of the most well-known produce products in the country and around the world,"Mr. Muir said.