Potato News from Idaho

Giving away the original 6-ton replica Russet Burbank that once toured the nation on its Great Big Idaho Potato Truck is paying major dividends for the Idaho Potato Commission, according to Frank Muir, president and CEO of the organization.

NewCold, a specialist in automated cold storage, announced the opening of its $90 million, 180,000-square-foot facility in Burley, Idaho. French fry maker McCain Foods is NewCold’s largest Idaho customer.

A team of fresh Idaho potato shippers will soon head to Taiwan to develop new business relationships in the Southeast Asian market.

Monday, McCain Foods USA, a leading supplier of frozen potato products, celebrated the grand opening of its expanded facilities in Burley, Idaho with over 150 attendees including elected officials and grower partners.

North American potato processors either have or will be bringing at least 1.3 billion pounds of new processing capacity online between October 2018 and December 2019. In Potato Country, Bruce Huffaker of NAPMN discusses the impact.

European Frozen Finger Food manufacturer Frostkrone Group announced earlier this month it had completed the acquisition of the Idaho based company Rite Stuff Foods Inc., a manufacturer specialised in the production of potato snacks.

Potato grower and packer Wilcox Fresh has appointed Justin Reynolds as the company’s new CEO.

Idahoan Foods, LLC announced today that its Idahoan® Family Size Mashed Potatoes has been named Product of the Year for 2019, receiving top honors for the Side Dish Category.

McCain Foods USA is looking to buy a property for a 100,000 square feet facility in Caldwell, Idaho, for what we assume would be production plant for frozen french fries.

Idaho potato farmers are getting paid about the same amount for their spuds as they're investing in raising them, according to a University of Idaho Extension agricultural economist's report, presented during the Idaho Potato Conference.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) announced today its fiscal second quarter 2019 results and updated its full year outlook.

Today the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) welcomes Alan Kahn as the new Vice President of Foodservice. His extensive foodservice and marketing experience will help him to develop and implement attention-grabbing campaigns focused on foodservice.

Effective October 10, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) added an 87-acre field to the pale cyst nematode (PCN) infested area in Bingham County, Idaho.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) announced today its fiscal first quarter 2019 results.

Earlier this month, USDA-NASS published its annual report 'Potatoes 2017 Summary; September 2018'. The 2017 data indicate a slight increase of the total potato production in the United States compared to the previous year.

Idaho Potato Packer The Mart Group, LLC, operating as Mart Produce, announced the appointment of Jason Allen as its new CEO effective August 23rd, replacing Brian Hansen who has acted as the Interim CEO since July 2017.

Wada Farms announced this week it has entered into a strategic partnership with organic potato packer Genesis Organics located in Southern Idaho.

Potato Processing Equipment specialist Idaho Steel Products has purchased a property bordering its Idaho Falls facility. This gives the manufacturer 40.000 square feet of building space and room to grow.