Potato News from Northern America

Research just released by the University of California, Davis and the National Center for Food Safety and Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology demonstrates that people can include potatoes in their diet and still lose weight.

The United Potato Growers of America says it is confident the group will prevail in an expanding legal battle in which the co-operative and others are accused of engaging in “classic cartel behavior” to control potato supplies and fix prices at artificially high levels.

New York City and Los Angeles County are among five jurisdictions that have won a $1.9 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for sodium-reduction initiatives involving restaurants and schools.

Favorable weather in North Dakota and Minnesota allowed producers to make good harvest progress this past week.

Probably no factor is more important in determining a fresh grower’s financial return than total area planted to potatoes.

When pierogies were invented in the early 1900's, pasta and potatoes came together in a match made in food heaven.

More and more, consumers are ignoring the 10-pound bags of red potatoes and instead picking up smaller, more convenient sizes

When Joyce Jacaruso Castillo grabbed a quick coffee at a McDonald's (MCD) in Manhattan last month, she was wowed by the low lighting, cushioned stools, and piped-in bossa nova music at one of the chain's newly remodeled units.

The potato harvest in Jerome Idaho is in full swing right now.

The Northern Plains Potato growers Association (NPPGA) is running a new advertising campaign designed to get buyers to associate red potatoes with the Red River Valley.

Bunge North America, the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG), announced the opening of the Bunge Ingredient Innovation Center (BIIC) for Edible Oils &Carbohydrates in Bradley, Ill.

The P.E.I. Potato Board is expecting an average crop this year because hot, dry weather in August reduced yields.

Exports of US potatoes and products for July 2009 through June 2010 (MY09/10) totaled 1,229,853 metric tons (MT) valued at $1,172,702,250.This is a decline of 0.67 percent in volume and 2.69 percent in value from the previous year’s record levels.

Eagle Eye Produce and Taylor Produce are pleased to announce the formation of its newly established Sales and Marketing Company for Potatoes and Onions.

Potato grower-shipper Bushmans' Inc. is branching out into other commodities, including sweet potatoes, tomatoes and onions, with the recent purchase of Market Fresh Produce LLC, Nixa, Mo.

As the economy shows signs of improvement and restaurant traffic begins to rebound, operators may face higher food costs in 2011 and will need to mitigate those increased expenses without hurting customer visits

While Frito-Lay works to develop a next-generation compostable bag, it’s transitioning most SunChip flavors back to traditional packaging.