Potato News from Illinois

White potatoes are as effective as commercial sports products in exercise fueling, performance and recovery, according to research funded by the Alliance for Potato Research & Education.

As of April 13, the novel coronavirus pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China late last year had been attributed to over 119,000 deaths worldwide, of which more than 23,000 have been recorded in the United States and more than 10,000 in New York alone.

The last few years have proven that snacking in the U.S. has become a lifestyle, with consumers snacking across the day. At the same time, COVID-19 is having an immediate impact on consumers’ food and beverage purchase and consumption behaviors.

IRI data for the second quarter of the marketing year (October through December 2019) showed success with dollars and a decline in volume for total potato sales at retail in the United States.

Private-brand dollar sales grew 3.8% in 2019, twice the growth of national brands, according to an IRI Consumer Connect Survey.

Steve Easterbrook, former CEO and President at McDonald's has left the company, following the Board's determination that he violated company policy and demonstrated poor judgment involving a recent consensual relationship with an employee.

Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) announced that it has completed the divestiture of the portion of its snacks business that operates under a Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) model to Utz Quality Foods, LLC.

Consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works just as well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes, scientists report.

Vanmark, a manufacturer of equipment for the potato processing industry, has expanded its line of Hydrocutting equipment with a compact fully integrated skid system.

Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) announced plans to build The Conagra Brands Center for Food Design in Chicago at 350 N. Orleans Street, located next to its existing headquarters in The Merchandise Mart.

Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle-market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, through its newly-formed food platform, Benestar Brands ("Benestar"), announced the acquisition of Evans Food Group ("Evans") from Wind Point Partners.

Yesterday, TreeHouse Foods, Inc., a leading manufacturer of private label foods, announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Company's Snacks Division to Atlas Holdings LLC.

Conagra Brands, Inc., a top 10 snacking company, will highlight its $2 billion snacking portfolio at the 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo on May 21 – 23 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Calbee North America today announced great news for potato snack lovers! Their new Spudkins Fry Cuts will debut at The Sweets & Snacks Expo on May 21- 23 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

PepsiCo, Inc., announced the launch of PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab, a first-of-its-kind suite of capabilities built to connect foodservice operators with the companies, services, insights, and solutions best suited for their specific needs.

According to reporting by CNBC, Kraft Heinz is considering the sale of its Ore-Ida potato brand in order to pay down its debt

Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is introducing two new snacks in the United States: Sea Salt Air-Popped Popcorn and White Cheddar Puffs.

Ingredient supplier Ingredion Incorporated has acquired the operations of Western Polymer, a company focused on the production of native and modified potato starches for food and industrial applications