Potato News from the United States

SNAC International Business Members unanimously approved a new slate of officers to serve on the Executive Committee, as well as a new class of Directors-at-Large to serve on the Association’s Board of Directors.

On Wednesday last week, the Oregon Senate adopted a resolution declaring an official state vegetable and yes, you guessed it, it is the Potato!

The Penobscot McCrum potato factory in Belfast will not be rebuilt after a massive fire destroyed the facility one year ago.

Vanmark, an industrial potato and produce processing equipment manufacturer, announced the launch of its vine remover machine. The new machine removes vines from potatoes as they come in from the field.

In the interest of bringing the most advanced technology to the food processing industry, SFW Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Fabrication Works LLC, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Food Physics North America.

Kellogg Company recently unveiled the names for the future companies it will create through its planned separation into two industry-leading, public companies focused on global snacking and North American cereal.

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, announces the promotion of Rudy Sanchez to Food Handling Systems Product Manager - Americas.

This year at SNAXPO 2023, PPM Technologies Director of Thermal Processing Daniel Luna will give a presentation on Heating Methods for Fryers.

Heat and Control, Inc.®, a world-leading equipment manufacturer and food processing industry supplier, will be exhibiting at Snaxpo 2023 at Booth #818 on March 19-21, 2023, in Orlando, Florida (USA).

With international markets across the globe showing solid signs of recovery, it’s no surprise that the value of U.S. potato exports was up for all potato types July – Dec. 2022, compared with the same six months in 2021.

Following their merger in August 2022, Information Resources, Inc. ("IRI") and The NPD Group ("NPD") unveiled a new combined company name and brand identity: Circana.

PFI, a manufacturer of sanitary conveying equipment, announced it has named Tom Vipond as Division General Manager. Vipond will oversee all PFI locations and operations.

The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2023 roster of Executive Committee members at the organization’s annual Washington Summit.

Pest Management Specialist Randy Van Haren, who established Pest Pros, Inc. of Plainfield, in 1984, was inducted into the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Hall of Fame at the industry’s Annual Awards Banquet held February 8, 2023, in Stevens Point.

PepsiCo announced a USD 216 million multi-year investment in long-term, strategic partnership agreements with three of the most well-respected farmer-facing organizations

The second day of the hugely successful Mikesell’s potato chip sale has been moved to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday March 6, 2023.

Equipment manufacturer Marel appointed Anna Kristin Palsdottir, Executive Vice President of Innovation to an additional role, Regional Managing Director and President, Marel North America.

Conn’s Potato Chip Company announced on January 13 it has obtained a brand licensing agreement with Mikesell’s and will begin to produce the chip brand in Zanesville effective immediately.