Trend to smaller size potato packages, River valley potato packers find

More and more, consumers are ignoring the 10-pound bags of red potatoes and instead picking up smaller, more convenient sizes, grower-shippers say.

The smallest pack is the individually wrapped microwaveable 8-ounce red baker from Campbell Farms, Grafton, N.D., which the company began selling last year.

Now, Campbell Farms also has a new grab-and-bake 5-pound mesh and film bag with a handle for red potatoes. The pack is designed to get consumers to try baking red potatoes.

Although consumers typically buy russets for baking, Tom Campbell, co-owner and sales manager of Campbell Farms, said red potatoes more moist. The bags are designed to educate buyers about baking reds. They also take advantage of consumer preference for small packages.

“Generally there is a trend to smaller bags,” Campbell said.

Paul Dolan, general manager of Associated Potato Growers Inc., Grand Forks, N.D., also said the trend is toward more 3- and 5-pound bags and fewer 10-pound bags.