Potato News from Colorado

The Good Crisp Company, a brand of guilt free stacked chips, announced the closing of a new round of financing from CircleUp Growth Partners, a leading venture fund for innovative early-stage consumer brands.

In the United States total retail potato sales for the July – September 2018 period compared to the same quarter the previous marketing year, were down -1.9% in volume but were up 1.3% in value based on a 5.0% increase in the price per pound.

Potatoes USA has launched a video campaign on social media to boost the image of potatoes by focusing on their performance-boosting benefits

According to the latest numbers provided by potatoes USA, the total volume of potatoes sold at retail in the United States was down 3.2% in June 2018 compared to June 2017, though the value did increase 1.1%.

Volm Companies, a key supplier of packaging and packaging equipment for fresh potatoes in North America, has acquired the business of Atech, Incorporated in Monte Vista Colorado.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees to fill 56 producer and two importer member seats on the National Potato Promotion Board.

The Potatoes USA, 2018 Annual Meeting came to a close last week with the election of a new Board Chairman and Executive Committee.

Four experts in nutrition and athletic performance have partnered with Potatoes USA to create 13 new recipes designed to encourage active consumers to power their performance with potatoes.

August was a great month for retail potato sales in the United States, with all categories enjoying volume growth when compared to the same four weeks a year ago.

After a record export of potatoes and potato products from the United States in the period from July 2016 to June 2017, Potatoes USA reported that export in the month of July was up compared to July last year.

Exports of all United States potatoes and potato products reached a record $1,758,130,172 for the July 2016 – June 2017 marketing year. U.S. exports also achieved a record volume level of 1,712,364 metric tons (MT).

Chef RJ Harvey has joined Potatoes USA as the Global Foodservice Marketing Manager.

Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner this week announced that Colorado State University will receive $264,600 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the spread of pathogens in U.S potato crops.

Potatoes USA announces nominations are now open for new Board Members for the 2018-2021 term. Fifty-eight members will be elected or re-elected to fill open seats and the seats of outgoing Board Members who are completing their second three-year term in March 2018.

Steve Gangwish of Watertown, South Dakota and Dan Moss of Declo, Idaho were appointed to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 16, 2017

Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) announced that it has completed the acquisition of protein-based snacking businesses Thanasi Foods LLC, maker of Duke's® meat snacks, and BIGS LLC, maker of BIGS® seeds (collectively, Thanasi).

Jay LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine and Jason Davenport of Arvin, California were appointed to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 16, 2017 and will co-chair the Industry Outreach Committee.

The Potatoes USA international marketing committee met prior to the Annual Meeting in Denver March 15 & 16. The committee heard how U.S. potato exports have grown 183% in the past 20 years and now account for close to 20% of production.