Potato News from Texas

'Lay's Summer Days' campaign offers the first 10,000 fans a bags of Lay's potato chips with your own favorite summer photo. Not fast enough? You will have to do with a digital bag.

Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, today announced a last call for submissions in its search for the next great potato chip flavor as part of the (United States) Lay's 'Do Us A Flavor' contest.

Tostitos, a leading brand from PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, has introduced this party staple, a corn tortilla chip – with a tube-like shape – that is sure to be the guest of honor at any gathering.

A multi-state research effort led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research to control the potato psyllid and reduce losses from zebra chip disease of potato will be recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Today, Lay's Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger flavored potato chips was announced as the winner of this year's Lay's 'Do Us A Flavor' contest

Texas-based MountainKing Potatoes has taken another step toward helping retailers boost impulse sales, reduce in-store labor and compliment ad features with new, high-graphic display units including large bins for high-volume promotions, easy-to-install display wraps and smaller, yet attractive display-ready stack boxes.

A new survey finds that 77 percent of U.S. adults say beans are healthier than potatoes, just one of the key insights executives at Beanitos, the first all-natural bean-based chip company, say is driving the company’s exponential year-over-year growth.

A decline in overall potato consumption has Texas A&M AgriLife Research breeders working on “designer” potatoes that meet the time constraints and unique tastes of a younger generation.

PepsiCo purposely packs fewer chips into its flavored chip bags, Hugh Johnston, the company's CFO, told the Associated Press. 'There might be an ounce or two less [in those bags],' Johnston said.

New sales figures from the United States indicate that when it comes to bagged fresh potatoes, smaller package sizes are starting to sell big.

Black Gold Farms has recently kicked off their 2014 summer red potato harvest with their extremely popular locally grown programs. The programs correspond with Black Gold Farms harvesting schedule.

It’s been an interesting week for organics. Both Wal-Mart and Target took aim at Whole Foods with further expansion into the organic food market.

Lay's Kettle Cooked, one of the many brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, introduces a new chip style just in time for spring. Lay's Kettle Cooked Lattice Cut potato chips are now available in the entire United States in two flavors: Aged Cheddar and Black Pepper; and Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt.

An Oak Cliff plant for Frito-Lay will cease manufacturing operations by August and be operated as a warehouse. In addition an Oak Cliff warehouse will close.

The real food flavors of classic hot wings are soaring into the chip aisle as Ruffles, one of the many brands that makes up PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, introduces Ruffles Deep Ridged Classic Hot Wing flavored potato chips inspired by Buffalo Wild Wings.

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.”