Industry Associations from the United States

February 19, 2009

Washington Potato Growers agree to modify 2009 contracts with Simplot, Lamb Weston

Washington State Potato Farmers agreed to modifications in the 2009 potato contracts with potato processing companies Simplot and Lamb Weston.Processing Companies agreed in September to give Northwest potato growers a hefty raise on their 2009 pre-seas...

February 18, 2009

US Potato Growers fear Over-production in 2009

Anyway you slice it, dice it, mash it or fry it, a new survey by the Idaho Potato Commission reveals American's favorite vegetable is the potato. And, despite February being Potato Lover's Month, growers are worried they won't break even on this year's...

February 06, 2009

National Potato Council elects Washington Potato Grower Ed Schneider as 2009 President

Washington potato grower Ed Schneider has been elected to lead the National Potato Council. The organization advocates for the economic well-being of U.S. potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental and trade issues. In addition,...

January 28, 2009

Voigt gives potato progress report at Washington State Potato Conference

Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, addressed a group of roughly 120 growers at the Washington State Potato Conference in Kennewick Tuesday, where he provided an update on key issues for the potato industry.One of...

January 23, 2009

'Classic Russet' (formerly known as A95109-1) served at Washington State Potato Conference

When potato growers line up for their potato bar lunch at the 48th annual Washington State Potato Conference, they will be meeting and eating an old acquaintance with a new name.The new Classic Russet being topped and served by Commissioners this year ...

January 03, 2009

USDA's Western Regional Research Center offers Potato Research ideas to Washington Potato Commission

Members of the Washington State Potato Commission's research committee recently returned from a trip to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Western Regional Research Center.Commission Research Director Andy Jensen said the reason for the trip to the A...

December 31, 2008

North Dakota's potato production lower in 2008

Potato production in the state is expected to reach 22.7 million cwt in 2008 from 81,000 harvested acres, which is down 11 percent from last year. The average production per acre was higher, however, with the 2008 average yield pegged at a record high ...

October 27, 2008

American Frozen Food Institute Chairman Announces Robert L. Garfield as Interim President

American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) Chairman James E. Matthews Jr. of the H.J. Heinz Company today announced Robert L. Garfield has assumed the role of interim president of AFFI following the resignation of Leslie G. Sarasin. Garfield takes over for...

October 17, 2008

Profits vary for fresh market, processed potatoes

Potato harvest is winding down in the Columbia Basin this week, with contracted growers reporting decreased profits and fresh market prices more than doubling from last year.Fresh market prices for Russet Norkotahs increased last year from between $4.7...

October 09, 2008

Dehydrated potatoes versatile option for food aid

Representatives for charitable organizations were back in Idaho this week to explore different ways of using dehydrated potatoes in international food aid programs.The visit, sponsored by the U.S. Potato Board, included representatives from nine privat...

October 09, 2008

Third Pack Expo Selects attracts largest field of competitors to date

Each year, PMMI invites exhibitors to submit their most innovative packages to be voted on by PACK EXPO attendees through PACK EXPO Selects. Once the finalists are identified, PACK EXPO attendees choose the packages they feel best illustrate new and f...

October 07, 2008

Shawn Walters appointed chairman Idaho Potato Commission

The Idaho Potato Commission, Eagle, has appointed Shawn Walters chairman.Walters, a third-generation potato farmer and co-owner of Walters Produce, Newdale, was appointed to serve a one-year term, beginning on Sept. 15, spokeswoman Krista Paglisotti sa...

Russet Burbank (Source: Idaho Potato Commission)

September 30, 2008

USDA Grant helps University of Maine develop New Potato Varieties

A project at the University of Maine to produce new varieties of potatoes that can stand up to disease while giving Maine growers new marketing opportunities recently received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Northern Plains Potato Growers Association

September 17, 2008

Maatz takes over as Wisconsin Potato director

Duane Maatz has resigned as president of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, to become the executive director of the Wisconsin Potato &Vegetable Growers Association, Antigo, Wisconsin.

September 05, 2008

USPB International Dehy program demonstrates physical properties of Dehy in Bakery Applications

Chef Yutaka Yamazaki of the Technology Development Division of Saint-Germain made potato pan bread for this study. Based on his experience in Europe, he recommends making bread with potatoes. He used US dehy standard potato flakes, which have high qual...

August 01, 2008

Frito-Lay Launches New Initiative to position Potato Chips as a snack that belongs in a Healthy Diet

The July issue of Better Homes and Gardens introduced Frito-Lay’s new advertorial (an advertisement that looks like editorial content). Titled “Keeping up like the Joneses,” it features a photo of an attractive mother and her three children bringing g...

June 13, 2008

USDA buys an additional 70MT dehydrated potato flakes for food aid in Africa

An additional 70 MT (10,032.75 cwt fresh weight equivalent) of dehydrated potato flakes (dehy) was purchased by USDA, June 3rd for Africare, a non-governmental organization (NGO) working in Africa. The dehydrated potato flakes will be utilized in progr...

May 15, 2008

Snack Foods Association (SFA) urges US Congress to reconsider Food-to-Fuel Policies as prices skyrocket

In light of dramatic increases in food prices and the environmental costs of fuels derived from food crops, Congress should revisit federal food-to-fuel mandates and subsidies, a top official of a Pennsylvania-based snack foods company told Congress t...