Idaho Potato Commission celebrates 75 year anniversary

The Idaho Potato Commission is one of the oldest and longest running commodity groups in the country.

In 1937, a group of people from the burgeoning Idaho® potato industry joined together to form the Idaho Fruit and Vegetable Advertising Association, largely to spread the word about the Idaho® russet potatoes.

Since that time, the organization has not only surpassed the goals of its initial charter, but also created one of the most well-known and respected brands in the world, the Idaho® potato.

Today, the organization is called the Idaho Potato Commission and its primary responsibility is to promote the Idaho® potato. This state agency, which is funded by potato growers, shippers and processors, produces award-winning advertising and public relations programs designed to remind consumers to look for the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal to ensure they are purchasing genuine Idaho® potatoes. The Commission also supports and funds university level research to help improve the overall health and cultivation of potatoes, as well as to identify agricultural best practices.

“All of us at the Idaho Potato Commission and in the industry are very proud of the 75th anniversary,” explained Frank Muir, President and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission. “Today, Idaho® potatoes contribute more than $4 billion dollars to the local economy and provide more than 30,000 jobs. Farming is one of the reasons that Idaho today is one of the most fiscally strong states in the nation.”

The Idaho Potato Commission has several promotions planned throughout the year, to ensure the 75th anniversary does not go unnoticed:

One-Carat Diamond Giveaway for Facebook Fans:

The Idaho Potato Commission is celebrating its diamond anniversary with one of its biggest sweepstakes ever – a chance to win a one-carat diamond solitaire pendant (ARV: $3,500). Idaho Potato Commission Facebook fans are invited to commemorate the occasion by visiting Facebook.com/FamousIdahoPotatoes, making sure to “Like” the page and then clicking on the “Diamond Giveaway” tab to participate. The winner will be announced on March 26, 2012.

The Famous Idaho® Potatoes Facebook page is an interactive community for fans and lovers of Idaho® potatoes across the country. Join more than 14,000 others and “Like” the page for frequent updates from the Idaho Potato Commission, including favorite potato recipes, interesting articles, cooking videos, fun giveaways and contests, and many more reasons to love America’s favorite potato.

Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck:

Weighing in at over six tons, the largest potato ever “cultivated” will travel across the country this summer to help raise funds and awareness for Meals On Wheels, a nonprofit organization that provides more than one million meals each day to homebound seniors. The Truck will make its debut in early May at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, and then visit cities across the country. To learn more about the Truck and its scheduled stop-offs, visit https://bigidahopotato.com/ (Still pretty quiet there last time we checked)

Recipe Favorites:

Over the years, there have been many Idaho® potato recipes that have withstood the test of time (and trends)! Many of these all-time favorites will be posted throughout the year in a special anniversary section on the Idaho potato Commission's website, https://www.idahopotato.com/ Among them will be this recipe for Au Gratin Idaho® Potatoes, the most downloaded recipe in the Idaho Potato Commission’s database.