News on The Potato Supply Chain from Northern America

August 10, 2015

National Potato Council awards 2015/16 academic scholarship

The National Potato Council awards its 2015-16 Academic Scholarship to Shunping Ding, a PhD. student in Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

August 10, 2015

Wisconsin Badger CommonTater now available online

Badger Common’Tater, a leading source of news, education and highlights of Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable industry is now available online.

Matt Porter of Porter Farms in Presque Isle cultivates crops on his sixth generation farm in July 2015 where he works with his father and where he himself has farmed for 15 years (Courtesy: Bangor Daily News / Brianne O'Leary)

August 06, 2015

McCain Foods’ nurse crop project may help increase potato yields

Representatives from McCain Foods are excited about a new project under way in Aroostook County that has some farmers planting their usual acreage of potatoes right on top of a bed of winter rye, barley or oats.

July 29, 2015

Latest metal found in potatoes likely no tampering

The most recent report of a metal object found in a bag of potatoes appears to be of a different nature than previous incidents, say RCMP and the P.E.I. Potato Board.potato bag in which watch strap pin was found

July 29, 2015

2016 Potato Industry Leadership Institute now accepting applications

The National Potato Council (NPC) and the United States Potato Board (USPB) are accepting applications for the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) class of 2016.

July 29, 2015

Prince Edward Island Potato Farmers host PEI Potato Social

On Sunday, August 9th, 2015, the potato growers of Prince Edward Island are hosting the first ever Prince Edward Island Potato Social to thank fellow Islanders and potato-loving visitors for their support in the past year.

Sweet Potato Wedges Parsley Salad (Courtesy: RPE)

July 23, 2015

RPE to offer Sweet Surprise mini sweet potatoes at PMA foodservice event

RPE Inc., in partnership with Chef Joey Elenterio, is happy to announce the debut of Tasteful Selections Sweet Surprise Mini Sweet Potatoes. For this year’s PMA Foodservice ‘Chef Talks: Strolling Lunch’, on Saturday, July 25, Chef Joey created a flavorful twist on the comfort food classic.

Potato field in Washington (Courtesy: Norm Nelson Inc. / The Packer)

July 22, 2015

Washington and Oregon Potato Growers Nervous about Hot and Dry Conditions

Fresh-market potato growers in Washington and Oregon may not know what their 2015-16 crop will look like until they start harvesting, which should be a week or two earlier than usual.

Tamas Houlihan, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association

July 19, 2015

Wisconsin researchers reveal dozen new potato varieties

In an effort to stay a leader in potato production, researchers in Wisconsin are hard at work to develop the best potatoes for your table.

July 15, 2015

Signs of recovery in the Canadian french-fry business

While the rest of the agriculture sector nervously eyes the oil melt-down, the french fry industry in Canada might actually be poised for a comeback

July 14, 2015

Equipment manufacturer Gillenkirch offers solution to detect metal in potatoes

Equipment manufacturer GIllenkirch offers an innovative solution to the Prince Edward Island potato industry after the recent scare involving needles inserted in potatoes

July 09, 2015

Calyxt Launches Field Trials of its Cold Storable Potato

Calyxt, Inc., a Minnesota-based company focusing on developing healthier food products, today announced that it has started the field trials of its cold storable potato.

July 09, 2015

United States Potato Board Realigns Retail Marketing Program Staffing

United States Potato Board Chief Marketing Officer, John Toaspern, has issued the following statement regarding the recent news longtime USPB Retail Marketing Consultant, Don Ladhoff, has joined Black Gold Farms after the expiration of his contract with the USPB

July 09, 2015

MountainKing Potatoes Promotes Outdoor Grilling Experiences

Texas-based MountainKing Potatoes has launched its 2015 summer merchandising program aimed at encouraging retailers to create eye-catching displays capturing the experience of summer grilling featuring the company’s Steakhouse Roasters.

June 30, 2015

Potato Industry raises Award for tips on needles in potatoes to CAD 500 000

The potato industry in Prince Edward Island has opted to increase the value of the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the iindividual(s) responsible for the deliberate insertion of metal objects into potatoes up to $500,000 until August 15th, 2015.

Potato Field in bloom on Prince Edward Island, Canada-

June 22, 2015

Prince Edward Island Potato Growers receive 2 million additional support for Metal Detection

The Province of Prince Edward Island is providing additional funding support of $500,000 to the Prince Edward Island potato industry, while the federal government also offers $1.5 million additional financial assistance for the purchase and installation of foreign material detection equipment.

June 19, 2015

Potato Growers, Associated Wholesale Grocers, settle lawsuit for $25 million

A federal judge has signed off on a $25 million settlement in a lawsuit between wholesale grocers and US potato farming associations accused of forming a price-fixing cartel.

June 19, 2015

New Prince Edward Island Potato Packaging should strengthen PEI Brand

Prince Edward Island potato bags have received a makeover. The goal is to convince more Island potato producers to go with the industry bags rather than their own individual brands.