Potato News from Northern America

Charles Coristine quit his job at Morgan Stanley and bought the snack company LesserEvil in 2011. The company was losing money at the time. As CEO and president, he grew its annual gross sales to USD 103.3 million in 2023 and got its snacks into major retailers and corner stores across the United States. 

The MyPlate National Strategic Partner Team recently recognized Potatoes USA with the Gold MyPlate Champion Achievement for actively participating in the MyPlate national strategic partnership and promoting MyPlate to important audiences.

Idahoan® Foods introduces two new bold mashed potato products, sure to be your latest snack obsessions!

The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has announced Xiuyan Zhang, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maine, as the recipient of the organization’s 2024-25 Academic Scholarship. 

United States' seed potatoes are a unique commodity for their exceptional quality, multiple varieties and stringent certification process. That was the message participants took away from the biannual Seed Symposium, hosted at Potatoes USA’s Denver headquarters in July.

The Triple Pickle Poutine is made with 100% Canadian cheese curds and potatoes, topped with gravy, two deep fried pickles, diced pickles and now, Garlic Dill sauce. The addition of the Garlic Dill makes the pickle factor three-fold and replaces the original Ranch sauce from its predecessor

Michael W. Rice has retired from his position on the Utz Brands Board of Directors, and William "B.J." Werzyn Jr. has been appointed to fill the vacancy, effective August 20.

In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.

Packaging Specialist Fox Solutions has appointed Ben Bliven as the new Senior Manufacturing and Operations Manager.

A fire destroyed Hartland company's factory in March, leaving questions about production and jobs. In a large warehouse in Woodstock, the smell of salt and vinegar overtakes anyone who enters its doors.

Mars, Incorporated has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Kellanova for USD 83.50 per share in cash, with the total deal valued at USD 35.9 billion. It makes Mars owner of brands such as Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Rice Krispies Treats® and NutriGrain®

Dr. Rebecca Earle, a professor at the University of Warwick specializing in food history, has unraveled the potato's nearly 500-year journey from obscurity to a global staple.

Picketa Systems is thrilled to introduce a significant new feature for our LENS platform: Custom Critical Levels. This innovation provides agronomists unprecedented control over nutrient management, making it easier than ever to optimize crop health and maximize yields.

Reading Bakery Systems (RBS), a global leader in snack production systems, has appointed baking industry veteran David Welch as their new Sales Manager for Europe.

Potatoes USA, the national marketing, research, and promotion board for the potato industry, elected Shelley R. Olsen as Chair of the Board at its annual meeting. Potatoes USA also announced its Executive Committee members to lead the organization through 2024-2025.

Are you curious to test if Pulsed Electric Field can help you to improve the (energy) efficiency of processing your (fresh) food products? 

Aspen Global Enterprises Inc., a leading Metro New York-based IQF and frozen food processor and distributor of potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, has announced a strategic joint venture with Marten's Fresh, based in Port Byron, NY.

Farmers in the southeastern United States struggle with the invasive guava root-knot nematode, a microscopic roundworm, which infects and damages a variety of crops, particularly sweet potatoes.