Potato News from the United States

March 01, 2015

Northern Girl: from ‘hippie farmers’ to regional food supplier

When Leah Cook and her family moved to the St. John Valley 15 years ago and took up organic gardening and raising animals on their Grand Isle farm, she said more than one resident dismissed them as “hippy farmers.”

February 26, 2015

Potandon Produce launches line of Organic potatoes - Potandon Produce Organics

The first potato line ever launched under the Potandon Produce ™ brand name will soon be available.

February 26, 2015

Mack Farms joins Fresh Solutions Network

Fresh Solutions Network announced that Mack Farms has joined their network of best-in-industry grower/shipper partners.

Global dietary patterns among men and women in 187 countries in 2010

February 26, 2015

Are we eating healthier now than 20 years ago?

A study published in The Lancet Global Health shows that in an analysis of worldwide dietary patterns, overall diet quality worsened across the globe even as consumption of healthier foods increased in many countries.

February 25, 2015

Push by Agriculture Commissioner to grow potatoes in West Virginia

State Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick is on a mission to create jobs by convincing West Virginian landowners to produce potatoes — lots of potatoes.

February 25, 2015

KleenFlex and KleenCoat: Heat and Control introduces new materials to improve processing and packing

Heat and Control introduces two new materials that can make life easier for potato and snack processing companies: KleenCoat and KleenFlex

February 25, 2015

Tentative agreement US West Coast Ports - but effects may last

Columbia Basin potato processors slowed down during the West Coast port impasse, making fewer potatoes into french fries, hash browns and other potato products shipped around the world.

February 24, 2015

Black Gold Farms Expands Potato Production and Packing Capabilities with Acquisition of George Wood Farms

Black Gold Farms, an industry leader in potato production, sales and marketing, recently acquired the legacy potato production operation, George Wood Farms located near Camden, NC.

February 13, 2015

Global frozen food market to reach $156 B by 2020

According to a new market report “Global Market Study on Frozen Food: Frozen Ready Meals to be the Largest Segment by 2020” published by Persistence Market Research, the global frozen food market was valued at $122.1 billion in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of $156.4 billion in 2020.

February 12, 2015

ConAgra Foods Announces Sean Connolly as New CEO

ConAgra Foods, Inc. is announcing today Sean M. Connolly as its new chief executive officer. Connolly will replace Gary M. Rodkin, current CEO of ConAgra Foods, effective April 6.

February 10, 2015

Pineland Farms Naturally Potatoes rapid sales growth boon for Maine Potato growers

Rodney McCrum, president and chief operating officer of Pineland Farms Naturally Potatoes, says he is dedicated to growing the company he started with a dozen other potato farmers in 1995.

February 10, 2015

McDonalds global comparable sales down 1.8% in January

McDonald's Corporation today announced that global comparable sales decreased 1.8% in January, mainly due to a 12.6% drop in comparable sales in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA).

Some of Ore-Ida's retail potato products

February 09, 2015

Heinz shakes up potato procurement for its Oregon potato processing factory

Heinz Frozen Foods, manufacturer of the Ore-Ida retail brand is changing the procurement process for the potatoes for its Ontario, OR potato processing plant. Heinz will now contract with the Oregon Potato Company, Pasco, Washington.

Inventure Foods, Inc. Expands Vidalia Brands™ Snack Food Portfolio With The Introduction Of Zesty Ranch Sweet Onion Petals

February 09, 2015

Inventure Foods, Inc. Expands Vidalia Brands™ Snack Food Portfolio Zesty Ranch Sweet Onion Petals

Inventure Foods, Inc., has expanded upon its licensing agreement with Vidalia Brands™, the Georgia onion brand known for great-tasting sweet onions, with the debut of Zesty Ranch Sweet Onion Petals.

February 09, 2015

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (IFF) opens a new flavor facility near Chicago

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances for consumer products, has announced the opening of a new flavors facility in the U.S. near Chicago, Illinois.

Russet Burbank (Courtesy Idaho Potato Commission)

February 08, 2015

Large and growing price gap between small and large Russets in Idaho

Idaho is currently confronted with the unusual situation that large Russet potatoes are far more expensive than small Russets and the price gap is only increasing.

Pine forests such as this one south of Park Rapids, Minn., have been cleared for potato fields.

February 08, 2015

Pines to potatoes conversion in central Minnesota put on hold

Alarmed by rapid deforestation in an ecologically sensitive swath of central Minnesota, state regulators have ordered a broad environmental review that will temporarily halt conversion of the region’s jackpine stands to potato fields.