Potato News from Idaho

May 08, 2014

Idaho Potato Growers concerned about delays at McCain Foods Burley

A delay in a $100 million expansion project for McCain Foods USA in Burley, Idaho has area potato growers worried about the status of their contracts to sell produce to the company.

One of the winners of the IPC potato display contest: Nick Eisele

May 06, 2014

Over 5000 retailers participated in the potato display contest of the Idaho Potato Commission

More than 5,000 supermarket chains and independent retailers showcased spuds for Idaho Potato Commission's annual Potato Lover’s Month retail display promotion in February, the most ever in the contest’s 23 years.

May 05, 2014

Idaho Potato Commission shows 25 potato varieties and their characteristics

The Idaho Potato Commission has developed an Idaho® Potato Varieties poster to take the guesswork out of your potato purchasing.

Hundreds of Riverside Elementary School students in Boise, along with teachers, parents and the IPC’s mascots Spuddy Buddy and Spud Beauty, gave the Truck its biggest (and loudest) send-off ever!

April 24, 2014

The Big Idaho Potato Truck is back on the road

The Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck is back on the road for its third consecutive cross-country tour with a new message for women: Take care of your heart!

April 24, 2014

McDonald's recognizes Simplot for Community Service

Simplot's Safety Days initiative was recently recognized by McDonald’s Corporation as demonstrating best practices in the “Community Impact” section of the company’s Sustainable Supply awards.

March 06, 2014

Idaho potato growers approved contract with McCain Foods

Idaho potato farmers who sell to McCain Foods have agreed to a contract that maintains roughly the same pricing as last season, said Dan Hargraves, who negotiated on their behalf as executive director of Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative.

February 21, 2014

Idaho Advertising Federation Recognizes Ad Produced For Klondike Brands

On February 6, the Idaho Advertising Federation presented I.E. Productions, an Idaho Falls Multimedia Advertising agency with a 1st place Diamond Gem Advertising Award in the Magazine Category for a series of print ads they produced for Klondike Brands™ potatoes.

January 15, 2014

Potato Politics: John Kerry presents Idaho Potatoes to Sergey Lavrov

When the Idaho Potato Commission's CEO Frank Muir saw what happened Monday, he was 'thrilled.' The state's most famous tuber had a starring role in news coverage of a meeting between the U.S. and Russia.

December 17, 2013

Potato breeder leaves mark on industry

Joseph Pavek bred the popular potato variety Ranger Russet and developed much of the germplasm still used by breeders today, though he retired in 1999.

November 30, 2013

Idaho Workers Brace for Simplot Closures

A number of southwestern Idaho communities are bracing for the planned closure of three Simplot plants.

November 30, 2013

Report shows flat Idaho potato production costs

A new University of Idaho economic report shows potato procution costs have held steady.

November 02, 2013

Idaho Potato Commission Appoints Three New Commissioners

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) announced the appointment of three new Commissioners who will each serve a three-year term: Peggy Grover, from BenchMark Potato in Rexburg, Ritchey Toevs, a grower residing in Aberdeen and Tommy Brown from Lamb Weston.

October 21, 2013

ARS potato breeders worked during US government shutdown to save clones.

Scientists with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service potato genetics program in Aberdeen, Idaho, were granted special permission to return to work during the US government shutdown, potentially preventing the loss of unique breeding material.

August 13, 2013

Traci Hiebert appointed international marketing director Idaho Potato Commission

The Idaho Potato Commission has stepped up its global marketing efforts with the addition of Traci Hiebert as the new Idaho Potato Commission international marketing director.

August 11, 2013

Idaho potato growers excited about $100 million McCain expansion

McCain Foods' Aug. 7 announcement that it will invest more than $100 million to expand its Burley potato processing plant was exciting news to Idaho potato farmers.

August 08, 2013

McCain Foods USA to expand Burley, Idaho plant with third french fry line.

McCain Foods USA has announced plans to expand its Burley, Idaho manufacturing plant with the addition of a third production line.

April 22, 2013

Potato Psyllids Have Returned to Magic Valley

Potato Psyllids Have Returned to Magic Valley, Idaho Or maybe they just never went away. Psyllids, a tiny insect that can damage potatoes, might be hardier than some people originally thought.

April 09, 2013

The Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck Embarks on its Second Cross-Country Tour

Back by popular demand, the Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck officially set off on its seven-month cross-country journey with support and good wishes from Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter and hundreds of Emmett, Idaho residents.