News on Food Trends from the United States

New research from an Iowa State University economist, Wallace Huffman, found consumers were willing to spend more for genetically modified potato products with reduced levels of a chemical compound linked to cancer.

The first line of J.R. Simplot Co.'s genetically modified potatoes has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration as safe for human consumption. The voluntary FDA safety review found that the potatoes are as safe and nutritious as conventional potatoes.

North Dakota, potato grower Carl Hoverson was elected Chairman of the United States Potato Board (USPB) at the organization's 2015 Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The University of Maine and the Maine Potato Board have released a new potato variety, Caribou Russet.

Bunge North America, the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited, announced that it has purchased the assets of Heartland Harvest, Inc., a North American leader in the production of die cut pellets used to make extruded foods.

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Penford Corporation, a U.S.-based leader in specialty ingredients for food and non-food applications.

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) announced the winners of its 2015 Sustainable Development Awards yesterday, an internal awards program that drives and rewards imaginative approaches to sustainability and produces bottom line business results.

Potato farming brothers Aaron Johnson of Northwood and Derek Johnson of Vancouver, B.C., will spend time in federal prison in the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth, Minn., and are jointly responsible for restitution of nearly $1 million because of crop insurance fraud.

Supermarketguru Phil Lempert on Target's focus on Organic.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is pleased to announce industry veteran Ryan J. Krabill has joined its staff in the newly-created position of Director of Research & Analysis.

Snyder's-Lance, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: LNCE), maker of innovative, premium and 'better for you' snacks, is adding more gluten-free products to its growing product lineup.

On February 23-26, NPC hosted the 2015 Potato D.C. Fly-In, where more than 150 U.S. potato growers and industry partners from across the country came to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the industry's most pressing federal policy priorities.

A new University of Michigan study confirms what has long been suspected: highly processed foods like chocolate, pizza and French fries are among the most addictive.

When Leah Cook and her family moved to the St. John Valley 15 years ago and took up organic gardening and raising animals on their Grand Isle farm, she said more than one resident dismissed them as “hippy farmers.”

The first potato line ever launched under the Potandon Produce ™ brand name will soon be available.

Fresh Solutions Network announced that Mack Farms has joined their network of best-in-industry grower/shipper partners.

A study published in The Lancet Global Health shows that in an analysis of worldwide dietary patterns, overall diet quality worsened across the globe even as consumption of healthier foods increased in many countries.

Columbia Basin potato processors slowed down during the West Coast port impasse, making fewer potatoes into french fries, hash browns and other potato products shipped around the world.