Potato News from Northern America

Okray Family Farms in Plover, Wisconsin, were named the recipients of the prestigious 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award during the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2016 Annual Meeting, held January 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Market research company IRI highlights the foods that see a sales lift before the Superbowl. Salty snacks constitute the leading category by units.

Casual dining chain Red Robin Gourmet Burger and Brews introduces taste bud-tingling Voodoo Fries that will leave guests spellbound!

Cargill Texturizing Solutions is offering manufacturers a successful replacement for monoglycerides, which are sometimes made from PHO

In the United States, the fresh potato category finished 2015 with sales volume off -2.2% with the largest-selling type down -3.2%. But red potatoes, the second-largest seller, bucked the trend by finishing the year slightly ahead.

As the demand for spicy snacks grows, America's favorite ready-to-eat popcorn brand has answered the call with the launch of Smartfood Spicy Jalapeño Ranch Popcorn.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) announced today the completion of the sale of its private label operations to TreeHouse Foods for proceeds of $2.7 billion in cash, excluding transaction-related expenses and subject to post-closing adjustments.

A meeting date of February 26, 2016 is set for the vote of the stockholders of Diamond and Snyder's-Lance to vote on approving the recently announced acquisition of Diamond Foods by Snyder's-Lance, Inc.
Snyder's-Lance also announced estimated preliminary unaudited net sales for the full year of $1.66 billion

Idaho State University researchers have found high-tech cameras mounted on drones flying 60 meters above potato fields can effectively detect individual diseased and stressed plants.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) unveiled its first Spud Nation™ Food Truck at POTATO EXPO 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an entirely new, proactive and aggressive demand-building approach for potatoes.

At the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2016 Annual Meeting, held January 14-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jim Tiede from James Tiede Farms of American Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as NPC’s president for 2016 and to lead the council’s Executive Committee.

Black Gold Farms is going to help retailers encourage their potato shoppers to “spice up your spud life” this February!

Celebrate Potato Lover’s Month with a purple flare! Attract shoppers with colorful, specialty varieties on your potato display.

NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that according their independent analyses, Earth's surface temperatures in 2015 were the warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880.

With flavor exploration on the rise, the Lay's brand is asking Americans to put their taste buds to the test and help choose between four all-new potato chip flavors and the classic ones they know and love.

Neil Gudmestad, a potato pathologist with North Dakota State University, has been awarded the 2015 Potato Man for All Seasons award by produce magazine The Packer.

The Food and Drug Administration has completed its food and feed safety assessment of the J.R. Simplot Company’s second generation of Innate® potatoes. Simplot will still need to complete its registration with the Environmental Protection Agency for these potatoes before introducing them for sale in the U.S. marketplace.

The softening Canadian dollar has in many cases driven up the cost of imported produce and this is being reflected in grocery store prices. However, one staple vegetable that has not experienced the same jump in prices is Prince Edward Island Potatoes.