News on Food Trends from the Americas

March 09, 2023

RJ Andrus of Idaho Elected National Potato Council President

The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2023 roster of Executive Committee members at the organization’s annual Washington Summit.

March 06, 2023

Junín: INIA realiza estudios genéticos en papa nativa empleando técnicas modernas.

Investigación de clones en cultivos de papas nativas, viene desarrollando el Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA) del Ministerio de Desarrollo Agrario y Riego (MIDAGRI) en la región Junín.

PepsiCo Announces USD 216 Million Investment in Long-term Partnerships with Three Major Farmer-facing Organizations to Support Regenerative Agriculture Transformation on More than Three Million Acres of U.S. Farmland

March 03, 2023

PepsiCo invests USD 216 Million in partnerships with US Farmer Organizations to Support Regenerative Agriculture

PepsiCo announced a USD 216 million multi-year investment in long-term, strategic partnership agreements with three of the most well-respected farmer-facing organizations

February 28, 2023

Bolivia prende las alarmas por crisis climática

La crisis agrícola ha hecho que el precio de productos como la papa incrementen hasta en 700 por ciento, y los agricultores vivien en la incertidumbre debido a las complicaciones para lograr cosechar el producto.

February 27, 2023

Perú: Pronóstico de riesgo agroclimático para el cultivo de papa

El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (Senamhi) presentó el pronóstico de riesgo agroclimático para el cultivo de papa para el período febrero-abril 2023. Las precipitaciones, en toda la costa y sierra, desde febrero a abril, las condiciones para esta variable se encontrarían entre sus normales y superiores a su valor histórico.

February 22, 2023

Conn’s Start Production of Mike-sell’s Chips after Purchasing Its Brand Licensing

Conn’s Potato Chip Company announced on January 13 it has obtained a brand licensing agreement with Mikesell’s and will begin to produce the chip brand in Zanesville effective immediately.

WPVGA Proudly Presents Annual Industry Awards

February 21, 2023

Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Presents Annual Industry Awards

In addition to its annual Hall of Fame induction, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) presented several other annual Industry Awards during a banquet on February 8, 2023, in Stevens Point.

Randy Fleishauer, elected as President of the WPVGA Board of Directors for 2023.

February 20, 2023

Fleishauer Elected WPVGA Board President for 2023

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors has elected Randy Fleishauer as its President for 2023.

February 14, 2023

Agtech: Breaking down the farmer adoption dilemma

Agriculture technology (Agtech) has an adoption challenge. There are multiple barriers to introduction and scaling from an industry perspective. An analysis by McKinsey.

February 10, 2023

International Potato Center and CGIAR appoint Dr. Simon Heck Director General and CGIAR Senior Director

The International Potato Center (CIP) Board of Trustees and CGIAR leadership have appointed Dr. Simon Heck as Director General of CIP and CGIAR Senior Director.

Cara Harbstreet Food and Nutrition Expert

February 08, 2023

Not Just Delicious! Potatoes are also Nutrition Powerhouse

It's the New Year, which means many of us are trying to eat better, save money and find more time in our day. Cara Harbstreet, registered dietitian and intuitive eating expert, recommends a kitchen hero that's a solution for it all: the potato!

A PEI Farmer destroys his potato crop by putting it through a snowblower. An estimated 250 million pounds of PEI potatoes were destroyed in 2022 due to the Federal government’s restrictions.

February 06, 2023

PEI Potato Board Seeks Removal of Export Restrictions on PEI Potatoes in the Light of IAP Report

The PEI potato industry welcomed the final report of the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Potato Wart that was presented to industry and government on January 16, 2023.

Dayton snack company Mikesell’s announces closure after more than 100 years

February 05, 2023

Potato chip manufacturer Mikesell’s will close after producing snacks for 112 years

Mikesell’s, a snack food company based in Dayton, Ohio, has announced it will be closing after more than 100 years in business. Luke Mapp, President of Mikesell’s, thanked the community, consumers, and partners for their support over the past 112 years.

Antioxidants, a booster shot for late blight prevention in potatoes

February 02, 2023

Selenium: a booster shot for late blight prevention in potatoes

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists have discovered that selenium, a micronutrient and anti-oxidant activates genes in potatoes that boosts the plant's immunity and helps in the prevention of late blight.

February 01, 2023

USDA SCRI funds new research: potatoes and pests – actionable science against nematodes

USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) recently announced funding (USD 6.8M) for Potatoes and Pests – Actionable Science Against Nematodes (nicknamed PAPAS).

Outside the University of Manitoba potato storage facilities: (L-R) Fernanda Gouvea Pereira, senior technician, Dr. Mario Tenuta, NSERC/WGRF/Fertilizer Canada Industrial Research Chair in 4R Nutrient Stewardship And Professor of Applied Soil Ecology, Depa

January 29, 2023

University of Manitoba potato storage facilities get an upgrade as governments invest

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing CAD 98,970 (USD 74,193) through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) to upgrade the University of Manitoba's Horticulture Storage Facility so it can conduct innovative potato research

January 26, 2023

Potato Processor McCain Foods releases 2022 Sustainability Report

McCain Foods Limited (McCain) released its Sustainability Report for 2022, underpinning its commitment to producing delicious, planet-friendly food