News on Health and Nutrition from Northern America

The Washington Potato Company potato dehydration plant in Warden, Washington, was destroyed by a massive fire overnight. The fire caused the immediate evacuation of about a third of nearby town of Warden (pop: 2700) for several hours due to concerns that an ammonia tank located in the plant could burst.

The World Potato Congress is extremely pleased to present its next webinar on Thursday, February 18, 2021, with Dr. Peter VanderZaag, a potato farmer in Canada and due to COVID-19, now an armchair consultant involved with numerous potato projects in Asia and Africa.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) announced its fiscal second quarter 2021 results and provided a business update for the third quarter of fiscal 2021.

There was a 5% decline in the utilization of potatoes grown in the United States during the July 2019 – June 2020 marketing year (MY20).

In the United States, House and Senate just approved COVID Relief and FY21 Funding Bills. The National Potato Council reviews what these bills mean for the US Potato Sector.

Potato Production in Canada for the year 2020, is estimated at 104,203,000 hundredweight. This is down 1.4 million hundredweight or 1.3 percent below de production in 2019.

Potato packer Skone & Connors installs Tong grading and washing equipment. The custom-built potato grading and washing solution enabled this US based company to increase their sizing capabilities of both dirty and washed crop, whilst reducing waste.

PepsiCo, Inc. recently announced that Pietro Antonio Tataranni, MD has been named the company's global Chief Medical Officer. He will oversee the company's efforts to protect its global workforce, products, and communities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two out of Three Consumers Plan to Stock Up on Snacks More Now Than Before the Pandemic, with Dips Seeing Dramatic Increase in Lead up to the Holidays Due to Convenience, According to Latest U.S. Snack Index

U.S. potato exports for the July – September quarter were down significantly compared to the same period in 2019. This drop is a result of the pandemic's continuing impact on the demand in many markets, particularly in SE Asia and Central America, and the tight supplies of U.S. frozen potato products.

From fruits and snacks to entire meal solutions, the frozen category in the USA is experiencing all-time sales highs over the past year.

Velocity Snack Brands (VSB) launches two new Popchips product lines in over 2100 Kroger Co. stores in the United States to meet evolving consumer snacking habits, with further distribution to follow.

Miss Vickie's Canada is recalling certain Miss Vickie's brand Kettle Cooked Potato Chips from the marketplace due to the possible presence of pieces of glass.

In light of on-going developments with COVID-19 the organizers of the Potato Expo 2021 have decided to hold the event as a Virtual Experience, entirely online.

Potato harvest in Canada is complete in most provinces with the exception of Quebec, according to this final crop report of the season prepared by the United Potato Growers of Canada

Boulder Canyon brings adventurous, flavorful snack food innovation to those seeking a better-for-you experience with their new Thin & Crispy potato chips.

White potatoes are as effective as commercial sports products in exercise fueling, performance and recovery, according to research funded by the Alliance for Potato Research & Education.

With the harvest season underway, the impact of summer's drought-like conditions is being unearthed in New Brunswick. Due to a lack of rainfall during the growing season, potato farmers say their yields are down significantly for fall 2020.