News on Food Trends from Northern America

Author: Dr. Horia Groza, University of Wisconsin-Madison, retired
October 01, 2023

The Nutritional Power of Potato: Carbohydrates

The journalist, Ben Feller, wrote, in 2009, an interesting story titled "The President and the Potato." David Letterman hosted President Barack Obama at his talk show and offered 10 funny reasons why his guest accepted to come. But Obama stopped him, saying, "The reason I’m here? I want to see that heart-shaped potato."
Growing Nitrogen: Plants like this vetch plant with long roots can produce lots of nitrogen once they become established.
September 27, 2023

Start growing your own nitrogen

Four studies released from 2019 to 2023 by the University of Illinois show that on average, 67% of nitrogen found in corn comes from sources occurring in the soil. Researchers labeled nitrogen fertilizers applied with N15 to identify naturally occurring nitrogen vs. synthetic nitrogen.
McCain the Hot Potato Podcast
September 26, 2023

McCain Foods has launched a new podcast, the 'Hot Potato', stressing the importance of regenerative agriculture

Potato processor McCain Foods has launched a new podcast, 'Hot Potato'. This inspirational series explains what regenerative agriculture in and why it is important. You learn where the food industry is heading and why a transition to sustainable farming is required to prevent climate change. Collaboration is essential to get this done.
Beautiful or ugly? To a no-tiller, soybean stubble with cover crops peeking through in late fall is a beautiful sight. To those who no-till, chiseling or plowing is "farming ugly."
September 25, 2023

Five reasons to skip fall tillage

Moving away from reliance on tillage is a tough change to make. Sure, there are times when tillage could be considered.
Taylor Grant, Leah Halverson and Bryan Jones: The Next Generation of Potato Farmers
September 16, 2023

Feeding America: Introducing the Next Generation Potato Farmers

A new generation of potato farmers uses cutting-edge instruments and methods to progress farms and preserve the soil for future generations all over the United States, often in unexpected areas.
The tray is not only compostable and recyclable but also oven-safe and microwaveable, said Rachel Atkinson-Leach.
August 30, 2023

New sustainable fiber tray for potatoes introduced

Tasteful Selections®, a specialty potato brand from RPE LLC, is introducing a new sustainable fiber tray with its Organic Sea Salt & Herb bite-size potatoes.
McGill University Professor Martina Stromvik and her team have created a potato super pangenome to identify genetic traits that can help produce the next super spud.
August 29, 2023

Mapping genetic variation of the potato: McGill researchers create super pangenome

Scientists have assembled the genome sequences of nearly 300 varieties of potatoes and its wild relatives to develop more nutritious, disease-free, and weather-proof crop.
Facility of GEM Equipment of Oregon Inc.
August 22, 2023

FPS Food Process Solutions Acquires GEM Equipment of Oregon as Part of Strategic Product Diversification

FPS Food Process Solutions, a global leader in freezing and cooling equipment, today announced it has acquired GEM Equipment of Oregon. This acquisition allows FPS to diversify its product offering to include GEM Equipment’s well-known fryers and blanchers.
Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes Seasoned with Hidden Valley® Original Ranch®
August 16, 2023

Idahoan® Foods launches shredded potatoes with Bold flavors including Hidden Valley® Original Ranch®

Idahoan® Foods – the leading producer of quality, packaged potato products in the U.S.– expands its portfolio with the launch of Idahoan® Potato Shreds.
Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill is experimenting with using a sandblaster to help manage weeds.
August 02, 2023

Researchers looking into using sandblasters to kill weeds in potato fields

Scientists are running experiments at a Harrington, P.E.I., field to see if they can better manage weeds by using a sandblaster filled with crushed walnuts, corncobs and baking soda.
Seed Potato Testing
August 01, 2023

Idaho evaluating alternate method of dormancy testing for Seed Potatoes

University of Idaho doctoral student Lisa Tran’s dissertation has the potential to transform how Idaho’s seed potato certification authority does business.
Where to Eat Canada's Most Iconic French Fries-Based Dish Poutine? A New Study Lists Top 10 Restaurants
August 01, 2023

Where to Eat Canada's Most Iconic French Fries-Based Dish Poutine? A New Study Lists Top 10 Restaurants

Schwart's, Modavie, Aux Anciens Canadiens top the list of Canada's most popular restaurants serving Poutine. The study is based on customer reviews of these restaurants on TripAdvisor.
PPM Fully automated system
July 28, 2023

Processing Equipment Merger: Duravant Acquires PPM Technologies

Duravant LLC , a global engineered equipment and automation solutions provider to the food processing, packaging, and material handling sectors, has announced that it has acquired PPM Technologies from Stonehenge Partners.
PepsiCo and Walmart Aim to Support Regenerative Agriculture Across More than 2 Million Acres of Farmland
July 27, 2023

PepsiCo and Walmart to Support Regenerative Agriculture

PepsiCo and Walmart today announced a 7-year collaboration to pursue USD 120 million worth of investments focused on supporting U.S. and Canadian farmers in their pursuit to improve soil health and water quality.
RBS Emithermic XE Oven
July 26, 2023

As world combats climate change, Reading Baking Systems introduces Emithermic XE Oven to Replace Direct Gas Fired Oven Technology

Reading Bakery Systems (RBS), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of snack production systems, unveiled the new Thomas L. Green Emithermic XE Oven, a superior replacement for traditional Direct Gas Fired (DGF) ovens.
WK Kellogg co and Kellanova logo
July 25, 2023

Creation of Kellanova one step closer as Kellogg Company files Form 10 registration statement for separation

Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) announced the filing of a Form 10 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to the Company's previously announced plan to separate into two businesses
UM will host a new research chair in potato sustainability, which will advance the global potato industry in part through hands-on fieldwork.
July 23, 2023

Research Chair Potato Sustainability coming to University of Manitoba (UM) thanks to 19 industry partners

The potato is one of the most important food crops in the world, a staple in meals for more than a billion people worldwide, and University of Manitoba (UM) is leading the way globally in the future of potato production and processing.
Together, we can bring back anything.
July 16, 2023

McCain Foods brings back fan favourite TV character Barb to talk about sustainability on National French Fry Day.

Every year, the earth loses 12 million hectares of farmable land due to erosion. That’s roughly one soccer field every few seconds. Erosion ruins farmable soil, and a lack of farmable soil means that the future of potatoes, and fries, are at stake.

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