USPB to quadruple its contribution to APRE

The U.S. Potato Board has agreed to quadruple its annual contribution to a year-old organization charged with defending the french fry.
Effective this crop year, USPB will increase its investment in the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) from $250,000 to $1 million.

In exchange, USPB has requested three additional grower seats on APRE's board to strike an even balance in representation by growers and processors.

The APRE board currently includes USPB President and CEO Tim O'Connor, National Potato Council Executive Vice President and CEO John Keeling, representatives from the five major processors and two growers representing the U.S. and Canada.

The APRE board is scheduled to amend its bylaws on Sept. 5 to accommodate the expansion. O'Connor said his organization will solicit industry nominations for new board members, and USPB's Executive Committee will appoint them. He anticipates they'll be chosen based on geographic distribution and leadership experience, with an emphasis on processed growers.