News on Food Trends from the United States

New sales figures from the United States indicate that when it comes to bagged fresh potatoes, smaller package sizes are starting to sell big.

Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, Moses Lake, is the focal point of a Republican primary election controversy involving the race between Clint Didier and his opponent Dan Newhouse.

'Do us a flavor' finalists Lay's Cappuccino, Lay's Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese, Lay's Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger and Lay's Wavy Mango Salsa Flavored Potato Chips Hit Shelves Nationwide in late July; Fans Can Vote to Save their Favorite through October 18, 2014

Today’s consumers desire to understand the health and nutritional benefits of the produce they buy. That’s why the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), an industry-wide effort aimed at creating a quick and efficient traceability process by electronically tracking produce from the farm fields to supermarket shelves, is vital.

As part of the second and final public environmental assessment comment period for the J.R. Simplot Company's petition to deregulate its biotech Innate™ 1.0 potatoes, the National Potato Council submitted comments to the Federal Register noting that the technology 'could effectively address key production and processing issues facing the potato industry.'

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today announced that it is acquiring WILD Flavors GmbH, giving ADM the ability to offer food and beverage companies a comprehensive suite of systems to enhance and improve their products.

Saratoga Chip switches to Mountain Pure Himalayan pink salt, a mineral and energy-rich iron alternative to traditional salt for all six Saratoga Chip flavors

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE:CAG) joined with community and civic leaders today to celebrate the completed expansion of its Lamb Weston frozen potato facility in Boardman, Oregon

In this USDA research on soybean crops, researchers find a link between minimum winter temperature and pesticide use.

Among US families, avoiding GMO's is increasingly becoming one of the drivers to buy organic foods.

The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) has elected its new Executive Committee. Nelson Cox was named chair of the commission

President Obama signed into law revisions to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules that ease compliance for farms across Maine.

The downside and upside for the U.S. restaurant industry in the first quarter of 2014 was that total restaurant visits dipped but delivery and other areas got a boost, reports The NPD Group, a leading global information company.

Tyson Foods has won the bidding war for Hillshire Brands against its biggest competitor in the U.S. fresh chicken meat market, Pilgrim’s Pride. The deal is contingent on Hillshire Brands terminating its proposed merger with Pinnacle Foods.

Limiting saturated fat could help people whose genetic make-up increases their chance of being obese

Riverland potato producer Justin Della Zoppa has been named the 2014 Rabobank Potatoes South Australia Industry Award winner.

A University of Florida scientist has pinpointed Mexico as the origin of the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish Potato Famine, a finding that may help researchers solve the $6 billion-a-year disease that continues to evolve and torment potato and tomato growers around the world.

With more people buying local and organic food, consumers should know the difference between the two so they recognize what they’re buying, but nearly one in five still confuse the terms, a University of Florida researcher says.