Potato News from Northern America

The State of the Snack Food Industry is strong and vibrant, but there is plenty of room to grow if snack makers respond with products, packaging, advertising and in-store merchandising that meet the needs of today’s dynamic on-the-go consumer, according to Sally Lyons Wyatt at this year's SNAXPO.

Meyer Industries, Inc., a leader in designing, engineering and manufacturing food processing and bulk material handling equipment, displayed the new Magna Weigh vibratory feeder and sanitary belt conveyor at the Snack Food Associations’ annual conference, SNAXPO 2014.

President George W. Bush, in a fascinating conversation before a SNAXPO audience yesterday, shared many of his experiences as President, and the years following, in a discussion that for many in the audience was a “once in a lifetime experience.”

Burger King Worldwide, Inc. announces that it is making SATISFRIES™ French fries the standard fry in the BURGER KING® Kid’s Meal.

Terra Chips introduces two new flavours - Tropical Blend and Exotic Potato Blend - and a new packaging, highlighting the root vegetables in each blend.

Twenty-four potato growers and industry representatives joined together to form the 2014 class of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI), an annual program jointly administered by the National Potato Council (NPC) and the United States Potato Board (USPB) that identifies and cultivates the next generation of leaders within the industry.

The third largest manufacturer of Sweet Potato Fries in North America - Russet House, has launched Organic Sweet Potato Fries.

Lay's Kettle Cooked - one of the many brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division - today announced the expansion of its hard-bite potato chip line-up with the addition of two new flavors.

As a leader in highly desirable, differentiated snacks, Snyder's-Lance is rolling out a selection of premium new products across its key brands, giving consumers better snacking choices and solidifying its position as a food innovator in step with consumer trends.

According to the St. Louis Business Journal, J.R. Simplot and Benson Hill are to launch a pilot to improve the photosynthetic efficiency of the potato crop

Kathleen Triou - former VP of Domestic Marketing for the U.S. Potato Board - has accepted an offer to lead Fresh Solutions Network (FSN).

Sandi Aarestad who operates Valley Tissue Culture near Halstad, Minnesota received the Meritorious Service Award from the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association

Rick Vivatson of Cavalier, North Dakota became the Northern Plains Potato Grower's Association's 65th Chairman.

Un proceso para hacer los purés se ha extendido a los mercados internacionales con patentes concedidas en EE.UU. y también en China, Nueva Zelanda y Australia. El proceso fue patentado conjuntamente por colaboradores con el Servicio de Investigación Agrícola (ARS).

Potato growers from throughout Washington state visited the state’s capital this week as part of the annual Potato Day event held in Olympia, Washington

Western Polymer Corporation (WPC), in partnership with LTWAW, LLC, was recently certified as eligible to receive economic development incentives from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for its manufacturing facility in Fort Fairfield.

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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the United States Potato Board. The board is composed of producers, importers and a public member, with approximately one-third of the board appointed each year.