Potato News from Northern America

The Province of Prince Edward Island is providing additional funding support of $500,000 to the Prince Edward Island potato industry, while the federal government also offers $1.5 million additional financial assistance for the purchase and installation of foreign material detection equipment.

A federal judge has signed off on a $25 million settlement in a lawsuit between wholesale grocers and US potato farming associations accused of forming a price-fixing cartel.

Prince Edward Island potato bags have received a makeover. The goal is to convince more Island potato producers to go with the industry bags rather than their own individual brands.

Live Better Brands, makers of the Way Better Snacks brand of tortilla chips and crackers, announces a minority growth-equity investment from Alliance Consumer Growth (ACG), a leading consumer-focused private equity firm.

Tasteful Selections™ inspires consumers to rescue moments and spend more quality time with family by creating delicious time-saving potato recipes with useful cooking tips.

Foreign countries are showing increasing interest in potato varieties developed in the Pacific Northwest and managed by the Potato Variety Management Institute (PVMI).

McCain Foods USA was recognized by Idaho Power for its commitment to operational excellence through energy efficiency.

Potandon Produce L.L.C., is pleased to announce the addition of another Idaho packing location to their production group. SunRiver of Idaho, Inc. located in Aberdeen, Idaho will pack and ship Idaho russet potatoes starting this month.

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has heavily increased her company’s budget for research and development. In fact, she’s doubled it during her tenure. One product to come out of that effort: the Deep Ridged Potato Chip

McDonald's Corporation has announced that global comparable sales decreased 0.3% in May.

Private Equity firm Permira is to acquire two manufacturers of Better-For-You branded and private label snack products, Medora Snacks, LLC and Ideal Snacks Holding Corporation

Snack Factory® Pretzel Crisps®, the world’s first flat-baked pretzel cracker, has announced that it has achieved Non-GMO Project Verification. Snack Factory will begin introducing Non-GMO Project Verified versions starting in Fall 2015.

A research scientist at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada has discovered that naturally-occurring bacteria in soil may offer protection against late blight (Phytophthora Infestans).

The blog FrankenFoodFacts recently published a review of the Innate potato of Simplot Plant Sciences. This blog by Layla Katiraee, who holds a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and is a senior scientist at a biotech company, offers the most insightful review of the Innate Potato PotatoPro has seen so far.

La Cadena de Valor del Conocimiento Clearinghouse es una iniciativa liderada por el Programa de Investigación del CGIAR en Política, Instituciones y Mercado, con la colaboración del IFPRI, CIAT, ILRI, IITA, ICRISAT, Bioversity y el CIP.

Wada Farms is currently planting next year’s crop. While potatoes from last season are still plentiful in the market and there is no issue with supply, large-sized Russet potatoes will be short in Idaho until new crop comes on.

Loblaw Companies Limited and Strang's Produce Inc. are voluntarily recalling certain Farmer's Market and Strang's Produce brands of Russet Potatoes from the marketplace due to possible food tampering with nails and needles.

Prince Edward Island RCMP Major Crime Unit responded to a potential food tampering incident on May 18, 2015, following a complaint that a metal object was found in a potato.