Potato News from the United States

Americans are cutting back on Doritos, Goldfish and Hostess cakes. It’s not for their health, however – it’s a sign that even small indulgences have gotten too expensive for many to afford.

Andy Diercks, a fourth-generation potato farmer from the small village of Coloma in central Wisconsin, is blunt about the difficult realities facing family-owned farms today.

Gregg Halverson’s career in the potato industry started at a young age, grading potatoes with his grandfather. Family has continued to be a major theme of his career as he worked with his father and now works with his children as president and board chairman of Grand Forks, N.D.-based Black Gold Farms.

The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2025 roster of Executive Committee leaders this week at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, Ted Tschirky of Pasco, Wash., was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months. 

Blackfoot, Idaho, known as the "Potato Capital of the World," is home to the Idaho Potato Museum and delicious comfort food spots like Rupe’s Burgers. Visitors can enjoy potato-themed attractions, the annual Potato Festival, and outdoor adventures at Hell’s Half Acre. This underrated city offers a perfect mix of food, history, and nature.

Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in space and other extreme environments.

Friehe Farms in Washington’s Upper Columbia River Basin combines teamwork and advanced technology to produce high-quality russet potatoes. Drones, GPS-guided planting, and climate-controlled storage enhance efficiency, while traditional four-year crop rotation helps maintain soil health.

Teton Valley Brands, the maker of Real Idaho Potato Chips, has announced the expansion of its executive team. The company has appointed Steve Marek as Vice President of Operations.

The North American Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) is set to host its third webinar, titled "Storing for Success: Protecting Potato Seed & Preventing Disease," on Monday, February 24, 2025 @10am PST / 1pm EST.

Masser Family of Companies (MFC) has announced the newest team member to join their executive leadership team: Tiffany Readinger. She will serve in a newly created role, Vice President of Sales and Category Management.

Yum! Brands has announced it is moving 100 KFC jobs out of Louisville.

The success of the potato industry is built on growers’ ability to introduce new potato varieties that meet market demands. For example, when snack-size bags of potato chips were popularized, the industry responded by breeding smaller potatoes for smaller chips to fit into the bags.

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles issued the following statement congratulating Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed today by the full Senate to serve as Secretary of the USA Department of Agriculture

TIPA, a global leader in compostable packaging innovation, is launching an advanced home compostable metallized high-barrier film. The solution addresses critical challenges in eco-conscious packaging for chips and salty snacks, offering enhanced functionality and durability in a biodegradable solution.

Convenience stores are intensifying their focus on foodservice offerings to drive foot traffic, in-store sales growth and frequency of repeat visits. Strong consumer interest in prepared foods, commissary and beverage options has led convenience stores, often referred to as c-stores, to compete much more aggressively with quick service restaurants and fast-food chains.

Idaho Steel is proud to announce the evolution of its flagship product, the Nex-Gem 4 former. Designed with innovation and quality at its core, the Nex-Gem 4 builds on the trusted features of its predecessor while introducing new capabilities that enhance efficiency, safety, and production capacity.

New N-FINITY technology gives growers flexibility when making on-farm nitrogen management decisions.

Researchers at North Carolina State University identified the South American Andes as the origin of the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans