News on Research from the United States

Research conducted in part at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that in some production systems, planting potatoes in flat beds can increase irrigation water use efficiency. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) agricultural engine...

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011 (Sept. 26–28, Las Vegas Convention Center) is collaborating with several industry associations to add even more value to the most comprehensive processing and packaging event taking place in North America. “While brand owners ...

There has been some restructuring at the J.R. Simplot Midwest Raw Department. James Kim has accepted the position of Regional Raw Procurement Manager for the Midwest and will be based in Grand Forks. Kim will be responsible for North Dakota and Manito...

On August 2, 2011, the United States Potato Board kicked-off the first weekly recipe email featuring Grilled Pesto Potato Salad to highlight a favorite healthy summertime recipe. The goal of the weekly recipe email is to encourage tUSPB's target consum...

The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) announced today that it has now surpassed themilestone of 200,000 square feet for the 2011 PROCESS EXPO trade show, doubling the size of the 2010 show floor. The show will be held November 1 – 4 at McCor...

Idaho potato producers will spend $2.49 million over six years for the naming rights of a college post-season football bowl game, according to a contract between the Idaho Potato Commission and Humanitarian Bowl Inc. The contract was released to the C...

In response to criticism from the Idaho Potato Commission, the U.S. Potato Board has created a new set of rules for the use of its Potatoes: Goodness Unearthed logo. The biggest change governs the accepted size of the logo on retail bags, according t...

A US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist, Xiaohong Wang - a molecular biologist - has created a new weapon in the war being waged against the potato cyst nematode-a diagnostic test that identifies the type of nematode infesting a grower's field.

The Potato Association of America held its annual meeting last week in Wilmington, North Carolina. Each year they recognize leaders in their industry with Honorary Life Membership Awards for both technical and non-technical achievement in their careers...

The United States Potato Board (USPB) Executive Committee has issued the steps they are taking to implement new procedures that have been approved by the USPB Administrative Committee and Domestic Marketing Committee to set a new direction for our nutr...

Despite a cold, dry spring with lots of wind, the Colorado potato crop is poised to have a slightly better-than-average year. Jim Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, notes that despite the wind, the quality and...

The USPB is pleased to deliver the industry’s sales and utilization estimates for calendar year 2010. The full report is attached following this story.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension says late blight sightings have been confirmed over the last month throughout Aroostook County and the Midcoast areas. Meanwhile, the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association has received reports...

The rainy spring and summer have put a damper on the Aroostook County potato growing season, but the head of the Maine Potato Board said Wednesday that the industry remains optimistic about this year’s crop. Don Flannery, executive director of the boa...

What can you do with mashed potatoes? Just about anything! That is the message Asia’s food service operators took home from seminars recently conducted by the United States Potato Board (USPB) international marketing program. The mashed potato seminar...

The Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl was unveiled today as the new name for the Humanitarian Bowl which features a top selection from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The nation’s longest-running outdoor cold-weathe...

The Idaho Potato Commission appointed Jim Tiede, of American Falls, IPC Chairman and Alan Taylor, of Rigby, IPC vice-chairman for 2012 during their monthly meeting in Eagle, ID, on Wednesday, July 27. They will begin their one-year terms at the Septemb...

Driven by stronger same-store sales and traffic levels and a more optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose above 100 in June. The RPI – a monthly composite index that...