Foodservice Operators Can Unlock The Full Potential Of Potatoes
National Potato Council Protecting The Plate: Why Sound Science Must Guide Our Nation’s Health Policy
Colorado Potato
Committee
Eyes on Fresh Market Potatoes – Part 2
Michigan Potato Industry Commission
Processors Tour Offers Insightful Industry Experience
Potato Certification Association of Nebraska Harvesting The Past
When you invest in a Western Spud Express® you can rest assured your new trailer has been built to stand up to the rigors the potato industry can dish out. The backbone of the Express is our high tensile steel main frame, treated with our level 4 paint system. Year after year the Spud Express delivers quickly and gently the biggest payloads, along with the highest resale value of any potato trailer on the market!
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ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
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CORPORATE OFFICES:
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ALLIANCE FOR POTATO RESEARCH & EDUCATION www.apre.org
POTATO ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (734) 239-8022 www.potatoassociation.org
CALENDAR
AUGUST 3-6
Soil & Water Conservation Society
Annual Conference
Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa, California www.swcs.org/events
AUGUST 13-14
Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association Summer Meeting
Twin Falls, Idaho
idahoirrigationequipmentassociation.org
AUGUST 20
Michigan Potato Industry Commission Box Bin Trial Tour Montcalm Research Center www.mipotatoindustry.com/
SEPTEMBER 2-6
Potato Bowl USA
Grand Forks, North Dakota Potatobowl.org
SEPTEMBER 9-11
Husker Harvest Days
Grand Island, Nebraska huskerharvestdays.com
SEPTEMBER 9-11
Big Iron Farm Show
Red River Valley Fairgrounds
West Fargo, North Dakota http://bigironfarmshow.com
SEPTEMBER 22-24
Printed in Idaho Falls, ID by Falls Printing rob.erickson@fallsprinting.com
INTERNATIONAL POTATO CENTER www.cipotato.org
NOVEMBER 19-21
Montana Agritourism Conference
Montana State University Bozeman, Montana www.montanaagritourism.com/ events-2-1
DECEMBER 8-11
Irrigation Show
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana irrigation.org
JANUARY 6-8, 2026
National Potato Expo
Gaylord Texan Dallas, Texas
Sectagon for nutsedge suppression
Sectagon for sodium-sensitive crops
Sectagon for germinating weed seeds
Sectagon for soil preparation
Sectagon for metam potassium
Sectagon for metam sodium
Sectagon for Verticillium suppression
Sectagon for Phytophthora suppression
Sectagon for root-knot nematode suppression
Sectagon for high pH soils
Sectagon for calcium carbonate soils
Sectagon for nematode suppression
Sectagon for weeds
Sectagon for onions
Sectagon for carrots
Sectagon for potatoes
Sectagon for tomatoes
Sectagon for strawberries
NEW PRODUCTS
PPM Technologies Introduces New BatchWright Frying System
PPM Technologies, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling group, introduces its new BatchWright frying system for kettle-style potato chips and other root vegetable snacks.
As the highest-capacity batch fryer on the market, BatchWright produces uniform, premium-quality products at rates up to 650 pounds (295 kg) per hour while offering precise temperature control over the frying curve. Featuring advanced filtration, hooddown operation and energy-efficient heating, this compact industrial fryer achieves consistent product quality, improves production efficiencies and reduces operating costs.
Available in two sizes, BatchWright is designed for kettle-style chips made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots and other root vegetables. Its immersion tube heating system is equipped with a fully modulating burner that enables processors to customize and replicate exact frying curves while achieving up to 85 percent fuel efficiency. BatchWright’s Stir Assist system gently agitates chips during frying to prevent clumping and ensure uniform cooking. The non-stick coated stir arms
are mounted on an overhead trolley to prevent derailment during operation.
Unlike other batch fryers, BatchWright can operate in a hood-down position to minimize oil splashing, increase operator safety and limit the need for replacement ventilation air. This hood-down design also allows for a smaller fire suppression system and improves exhaust efficiency.
To preserve oil quality and extend product shelf life, BatchWright features a patent-pending lifting drum filter and is available with optional secondary filtration such as centrifugal or pressure filters. The continuous sediment removal system helps facilitate 24/7 operation and production runs of up to ten consecutive days before cleaning is needed. Built-in CIP spray systems, stainless-steel sanitary piping and quick-release components provide full access for fast and effective cleaning.
BatchWright’s user-friendly touchscreen HMI enables processors to easily create, store and select different product recipes, simplifying operation and changeovers. The system also collects valuable production data, including batch weights, start and exit temperatures and frying durations. BatchWright features UL-listed controls and can integrate with plant-wide monitoring platforms.
For more information, visit www.ppmtech.com.
Long days are about to get more productive — and enjoyable. The smooth, quiet power of the 88 hp engine and brand-new OmniDrive continuously variable transmission is a utility vehicle game-changer.
Flip between “Normal” and “Work” drive modes as easily as you switch from doer to adventurer. Enjoy the comfort of the plush 3-person bench seat.
The 1000-lb. capacity electronic/hydraulic tilting cargo box makes hauling and unloading effortless. The NFC key, standard audio system, tilt steering and a crystal-clear 8-inch CFMOTO RideSync touch screen make this vehicle the ultimate utility companion.
HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES
• 998cc 3-Cylinder Engine The 998cc inline triple features eight valves and a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC). With electronic fuel injection (EFI) and efficient liquid cooling, this engine packs a punch, delivering an impressive 88 hp and exceptional medium and low-speed torque. It gives you a towing capacity of over 2500 lbs.
• Electronic Power Steering With Tilt Wheel Variable-assist power steering automatically adjusts the amount of steering assistance based on riding conditions for greater stability at higher speeds and greater maneuverability at lower speeds.
• 1000 Lb. Capacity Cargo Box With Electronic Tilt Button In addition to its 1000 lb. capacity, the cargo bed is equipped with an electric/hydraulic tilting cargo box, which makes it easy to unload heavy loads quickly and efficiently.
• 8-Inch CFMOTO RideSync Touch Screen And TFT Display This user-friendly interface provides realtime information at your fingertips. Access maps, vehicle diagnostics and entertainment options with just a tap, ensuring you stay informed and entertained on every adventure.
• Hardtop Roof The hardtop roof shields you from rain, sun and debris, ensuring you can ride in all conditions without compromising comfort. Its robust construction provides reliable protection.
• Push-Button Shifting This gear changer is a game changer. Push-button shifting lets you switch gears smoothly and efficiently. It’s one more piece of technology that you’d expect to find on a machine far more expensive.
• Audio Package It’s unheard of to get a sound system as standard equipment. But you’re hearing now. Transform your rides with crystal-clear audio and powerful bass. Whether you’re exploring trails or working through a long day, enjoy your favorite tunes with exceptional clarity.
• 4,500 Lb. Winch With Synthetic Rope This heavyduty winch features synthetic rope, a lighter, stronger, safer alternative to steel cable. What’s more, it’s far easier to handle. Especially when you’re working fast.
• Comfort for Three Passengers The ergonomic bench seat delivers a plush ride. The deluxe front seat includes a center console featuring two cupholders. Fold it up to create room for three adults.
• 1-Year Factory Warranty
MSRP - $16,999/ $17,449 Camo Model (plus freight and setup)
For more information, visit https://www.cfmotousa.com/.
AROUND THE VINE
National Foodservice Operators Get Hands-On Practice With Potatoes At The Spud Lab
Potatoes USA hosted foodservice operators for a three-day culinary immersion in March in Denver, representing national and regional brands including Chili’s, Church’s Chicken, Buddha Bowls + Rolls and Buckhorn BBQ + Grill. The event’s goal was to get operators thinking about how to menu more potatoes.
A highlight of the experience was a visit to a fourthgeneration, family-owned farm. Participants toured the farm’s operations and got a firsthand look at potatoes being planted. One operator shared, “I loved the farm tour. It was very cool to meet the farmer and pick their brain. Seeing the whole process was incredibly valuable.”
Participants also rolled up their sleeves in the Spud Lab, Potatoes USA’s state-of-the-art test kitchen, where they explored innovative ways to incorporate more potatoes into menu offerings. They learned a variety of techniques designed to elevate everyday potatoes into standout culinary creations, while emphasizing current food trends.
Discussion focused on growing items, including truffle fries, buffalo chicken fries, and loaded fries, which resonate with Gen Z diners who favor bold sauces and globally inspired, spicy flavors. The conversation also focused on emerging menu opportunities driven by consumer demand. For instance, gluten-free pizza — often made with potato flour — has experienced a 305 percent increase in menu penetration over the past four years.
On their final day, participants did a market immersion, which included a tour of some
of Denver’s most innovative and acclaimed restaurants to gain culinary inspiration for more potato-forward dishes. These included:
• Atomic Cowboy, which offers a fresh take on classic American cuisine, including hash brown patties and Sully’s Fries (waffle fries smothered in house-made sausage or vegetarian mushroom gravy, pimento cheese sauce, bacon, and green onions).
• Los Socios Birrieria, renowned for its authentic and flavorful birria.
• Cherry Cricket, which offers unique burgers that blend classic flavors with a distinct twist.
• Mizu Izakaya, which is known for its potato korokke, a delicacy featuring a golden, crisp exterior with smooth, savory potato filling.
Marlous Booijink Appointed New CFO Of Royal HZPC Group
Starting 1 August, Marlous Booijink will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer at Royal HZPC Group. She will succeed Jordan van Vilsteren, who will be departing in October 2025. At 45, Booijink brings over 20 years of financial and management expertise from the food industry, having worked with FrieslandCampina, DSM, and the Pandriks Group. Her roots are also deeply embedded in the agricultural sector.
Booijink began her career at Abbott and quickly advanced at FrieslandCampina, where she served as financial director across several divisions. At DSM, she was vice president finance for
Potatoes USA Chef RJ Harvey gives a demonstration in the Potatoes USA Spud Lab.
DSM Food Specialties, one of DSM’s major divisions.
For the past four years, she has been the CFO of the Pandriks Group in Meppel, overseeing finance, HR, IT, and sustainability. Additionally, Booijink is a member of the supervisory board at CRV, where she chairs the audit committee.
Booijink is no stranger to Royal HZPC Group and the seed potato sector. Together with her husband, she runs an arable farm in the Noordoostpolder, which includes approximately 50 hectares dedicated to seed potatoes.
Dates Set For Several Michigan Potato-Focused Events In August
August is always chock-full of potatofocused events, including field days and other meetings in Michigan. This year is no different.
The calendar is filling up. Here are some key dates:
Thursday, August 7 – Montcalm Field Day, followed by the MPIC Research Committee Meeting
Wednesday, August 20 – Box Bin Trial Tour
Tuesday, August 26 – Northern Michigan Grower Plot Tour
Wednesday, August 27 – Upper Peninsula Field Day
Galynn Beer Joins Tidal Grow AgriScience As Vice President Of Global Sales
— solutions that are designed to maximize the grower’s input budget.
This addition to the leadership team reflects Tidal Grow’s commitment to delivering greater value to customers and industry alliances across the world. With nearly three decades of experience in agricultural sales and product strategy, hands-on knowledge of diverse crops and soils, and a deep understanding of grower challenges, Beer will help deliver added value for both retailers and growers.
“Helping solve some of agriculture’s greatest challenges with more efficient
inputs that ultimately increases yield is our team’s core focus,” said Beer. “I’m excited to join the team and expand access to our chitosan-based solutions and biofertilizers. When retailers and growers experience how these revolutionary solutions add value to their entire crop input strategy — beyond the incremental yield — the impact is significant.”
For more information, visit www. tidalgrowag.com.
Tidal Grow AgriScience, a division of Tidal Vision Products Inc., welcomed Galynn Beer to the leadership team as the new vice president of Global Sales. In this role, Beer will lead the development and execution of Tidal Grow’s global sales strategy and will report to Norm Davy, president and chief commercial officer. Beer will focus on aligning sales efforts with the company’s innovative portfolio of precisely formulated chitosan technologies and biofertilizers
5
Expanded and improved recycling programs have meant the return of plastic as a way to package potatoes.
By Mike Levis
When shopping at the grocery store, what factors entice someone to reach for an item?
Is it a colorful package with beautifully designed graphics? A smaller size that’s more convenient to carry? Or is it the construction of the packaging? The answers today are different from what they were even a few years ago.
To boil it all down, let’s take a look at the top five trends we’re seeing in potato packaging.
1. ATTRACTIVE GRAPHICS ARE HERE TO STAY
To understand the overall direction that produce packaging is taking, look no further than the neighboring aisles at your local grocery store. Here, rows and rows of shelving display boxed cereal and other items bearing bright and colorful graphics … all of which do a great job of catching people’s eyes, promoting brands and educating consumers.
To mimic this success while driving sales on a far healthier product, potato packers and retailers have taken a page from the greater food industry. And why shouldn’t fresh produce get to share in some of the fun?
The proof is in the pudding – or, should I say, cereal boxes. If potato packers are moving in this direction, it’s because quality and eye-catching packaging sells. Over the last decade at Volm Companies, we have seen numerous customers move a large portion of their consumer potato packaging to higher-end print or graphic designs. By investing in their marketing, they’re replacing the brownand-bland bags of yesteryear with bright, engaging and
high-quality packaging. This also includes process print, or picture-quality imaging, such as images of prepared potatoes in their various forms (my favorite is mashed.)
2. COOKING TIPS & OTHER MESSAGING ARE A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH CONSUMERS
Attractive graphics and quality images are a great start, but what you say on your packaging can also influence consumers, particularly those who are in a hurry or need some quick inspiration for dinner.
On many potato packages, we’re now seeing labelling that lets consumers know if the variety is best for baking, frying, mashing, and so on. Some of this comes from demand from retailers – they want more specialty products and growers who can provide several product formats. To step things up, some growers and packers even add a detailed recipe on the package – all of which look pretty good.
This is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to differentiate a product and help it stand out for on-the-go consumers.
3. THE MARCH TOWARD PRIVATE LABELS CONTINUES
Over the past decade, we’ve seen retailers increasingly interested in putting their branding on produce packaging. At Volm alone, we’ve seen a 23 percent increase in private labels during this time period. This continues to be the case as big names and small try to capture the market by asserting their brand at every opportunity. One of the benefits of this practice is that retailers are keen on incorporating high-quality and sophisticated graphics, and that can be good for business.
Sometimes, the retailer and grower will work together to include both of their branding. This can consist of more information about the product and the backstory of the farm, an approach that appeals to consumers’ interest in buying quality, locally sourced produce. This kind of partnership can be a win-win, demonstrating that collaborations aren’t just for Instagram influencers.
4. PLASTIC IS NO LONGER A DIRTY WORD
Not too long ago, we saw a shift towards paper as an eco-friendly option for many packaging needs. Paper can be a bit bulky for transport and storage, offers limited visibility, it struggles with moisture, and can be pricier. Plus, it raises questions about its overall carbon footprint.
I remember when we made the switch to plastic to help protect our forests, and now we all find ourselves asking what is truly best for our planet. Fortunately, as recycling continues to gain traction across the country, we’re witnessing an encouraging trend. This includes the rise of “good plastic,” which refers to products that are easily recyclable and made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin. This PCR resin helps complete the plastic cycle, enabling us to reuse recycled materials repeatedly. Fast forward to today, and we’re
Private labels of potato packaging is another trend in the industry as companies try to capture market share.
seeing high-quality packaging made from PCR films offering significant environmental advantages, such as lowering our carbon footprint and diverting unnecessary waste from landfills.
The greater food industry has once again taken the lead in using PCR resin, and we’re excited to start exploring this as an excellent option for our industry as well.
At Volm, many of our customers are increasingly interested in PCR packaging, which also provides great clarity for consumers who wish to see the product inside. Plus, this type of packaging is fully recyclable and is FDA foodsafe. Moreover, we’re committed to prioritizing PFAs-compliant products, ensuring that our customers can trust that their packaging meets all regulatory standards.
5. BIGGER ISN’T BETTER
Remember the days during the COVID pandemic when consumers stocked up on everything in bulk – in part because they were eating at home all the time and because they were limiting their trips to the grocery store?
During that period, we saw far more potato bags that were 8, 10 and even 20 pounds. These days, we’re back to where we were before COVID, where smaller packages are on the rise. As people are out and about, making more frequent trips to shop, smaller and more convenient packages in the 1.5- and 3-pound range are gaining momentum again. Besides being easier on our bicep muscles, this trend is also potentially more lucrative for retailers and, by extension, growers.
All in all, it’s an exciting time for fresh produce as we continue to move in a more retail-friendly direction. By investing in our packaging, we invest in our overall industry, and I look forward to seeing what we all do next.
(Levis is a regional sales manager at Volm Companies and has more than 30 years of experience in the fresh produce industry. You can reach him at mike.levis@volmcompanies.com.)
The RiteYield system adds convenience and accuracy by automatically collecting data for all the various fields, varieties and test plots.
f Measures yields once per second
f Fits most harvesters
f Optional Tilt Sensor for greater accuracy
f GPS receiver connectivity
f User friendly
BAGGING, PACKING & SHIPPING EQUIPMENT
Kerian Machines (701) 352-0480 www.kerian.com
Kerian Sizer
The Kerian Speed Sizer will gently and accurately sort your potatoes by size. It is affordable and proven in use for both round and Russet potatoes. With 13 different standard models, the Kerian Speed Sizer can fit your application whether it is a small packing line or a large processing plant. The constantly rotating rollers provide consistent and precise sizing that is fast, gentle, accurate and easily adjustable. All stainless steel models and stainless steel contact points are also available.
www.volmcompanies.com
Volmstack Robotic Bin Filling System
Why do the heavy lifting when you don’t have to? Volmstack robotic solutions can take care of your palletizing needs, including display-ready formats with our bag-to- bin solutions. Our bin filling systems are now available in a more compact footprint, providing additional flexibility for a wide range of layout needs. Beyond a reduction in floor space, our new design offers a sleek end-of-arm tool, greater efficiency, less maintenance and enhanced overall performance.
Volmpack BD606 Case Packer
The Volmpack BD606 Case Packer is a fully automated system that offers high speeds, exceptional versatility and ease of use. Designed for packages up to 10 pounds, this high- performance solution is ideal for net or wicketed bags and pouches, pillow packs, block bottom and carry-style bags. Using the user-friendly touch screen, it is easy to change packing layouts to move between different lines with little disruption. With this versatility you can have multiple packing configurations to fill trays, crates or boxes. Compact and user-friendly, the BD606 allows you to seamlessly integrate with your existing operations and is capable of handling 50 packages per minute.
97th Annual
Aug. 26-29, 2025
Sun Valley, Idaho
Cover photo courtesy of Rigby Produce
CONVENTION
IGSA would like to thank all of our generous sponsors for helping make this year’s convention a success.
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
CHAIRMAN’S
IGSA Convention: A Unique Opportunity
Marc Christensen Mart Produce Chairman, IGSA Board of Directors
Dear Idaho Potato Industry Members and
Friends,
As we prepare to gather once again in Sun Valley for the 97th annual Idaho Grower Shippers Association (IGSA) Convention, it is my pleasure to invite you and your families to join us for this proud and time-honored tradition of fellowship, industry insight and celebration.
Each year, this convention offers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect — not only with our colleagues and friends, but also with the purpose and values that have guided the IGSA since its founding nearly a century ago.
While much has changed in the way we work, communicate and grow our businesses, one thing has remained constant: the IGSA’s unwavering commitment
to serving the Idaho potato industry through education, advocacy and connection. My service on the IGSA board has been extremely rewarding, and I value the friendships and experiences I have gained.
This year’s convention will be held Aug. 27-29, and will feature an outstanding lineup of seminars, panels and speakers. Special thanks to Shawn Boyle, who continues to bring together an unmatched program. This year is no exception. We are excited to welcome John Foley, former U.S. Navy Blue Angel and renowned speaker, who will share his powerful message of excellence and leadership.
In our educational sessions, we are excited to once again collaborate with leading industry partners, including the National Potato Council, Potatoes USA, Idaho Potato Commission, IACI and the Idaho Potato Industry PAC to name a few. These sessions will deliver insights and tools to help us all succeed in today’s dynamic environment.
We are also excited to continue a meaningful tradition with the IGSA Reunion Dinner, taking place the evening of Tuesday, August 26, at Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill. All current and past IGSA board members and their families are encouraged to attend. This dinner offers a special time to reconnect, reflect and celebrate the legacy of leadership that has shaped both our association and our industry.
As always, the convention will feature a wide range of networking and recreational activities — from rafting, golf and side-by-side tours, to trapshooting, pickleball and bowling.
We will also be recognizing the Friend of the IGSA. This award is another new tradition. The recipient will be surprised with the award sometime during the convention.
The convention’s signature event, the Chairman’s Banquet, will take place Friday evening and is the perfect ending to an outstanding event. The main event of the night will be honoring Jim McBride — a longtime leader and friend to the Idaho potato industry — with the Russet Aristocrat Award. Jim’s decades of service on the sales desk at Mart Produce has left an indelible mark on our industry, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable contributions.
Whether you’ve been attending the IGSA Convention for decades or are considering your first visit, we truly hope you will join us this August in Sun Valley. Our strength as an industry comes from our shared purpose, strong relationships, and deep roots — and there is no better place to celebrate that than through the IGSA.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
IGSA 97th Annual Convention – Aug. 26-Aug. 29, 2025 – Sun Valley, Idaho This schedule is subject to change. For the latest schedule, visit www.idahoshippers.org.
If we didn’t know better, we would have thought Jim McBride was just showing up for another day of work when he recently took us on a tour of Mart Produce.
He said hi to everyone we encountered, sometimes shaking hands or giving a brief hug to a few of the Mart Produce employees. Witnessing all this camaraderie nearly made us forget that McBride retired from Mart Produce six years ago.
It was obvious very quickly that McBride was a valued and wellrespected employee during his career at Mart, which spanned 31 years. He developed lifetime friendships that will not soon be forgotten.
McBride said since leaving Mart Produce – he retired as sales manager in 2019 – he still manages to swing by the Rupert, ID-based fresh and frozen potato operation every couple of months.
From Paint To Potatoes
Born and raised in Rupert, McBride still lives fairly close to the Mart Produce facility but was not raised on a farm.
His first job was delivering newspapers in Rupert before school started. He earned one cent a newspaper he delivered, earning a $1.50 a week. His next job was moving handlines but, “I wised up from that,” he said, and got a job pumping gas at a local service station, a job he kept until he graduated from high school in 1972.
After high school he went to
Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) for a semester and then served a mission in Colorado for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his mission he attended Idaho State University, earning a degree in finance. He worked at Anderson Lumber during college and after graduating started working for one of its subsidiaries, Pioneer Wholesale, which meant he had to relocate to Utah. He worked that job for a couple of years and then returned home to Rupert to go into business with his father. While he didn’t grow up on a farm, he wasn’t far from it. His father Glen owned and operated a dry bean warehouse in Rupert. He worked in that job for seven years before he and Glen sold the business to Kelley Bean (which is still in business in Rupert).
He said the reason for the sale of his family’s dry bean business was fairly simple. “It’s tough for a small family business to compete with bigger warehouses,” he said.
After that he started working for Pratt and Lambert Paints as a sales rep for Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. That lasted for six or seven months before “I got tired of being on the road so much.”
It was about that time that he approached one of the owners of Mart Produce about an opening the company had for a controller. He got the job in 1988 and worked in that position for 4.5 years when a job in
the sales department came open.
“The opening came up in sales so I switched because there’s more money in sales,” he said. He worked in sales for 26 years before retiring as sales manager.
“Great Group Of People”
As was obvious during our tour of Mart Produce, McBride remembers fondly the people he worked with, many of whom are still with the company.
“We have a great group of people here from management to the employees,” he said. “It was a pleasure to come to work here every day.”
One of Mart’s employees that McBride is especially close with is his son Nate, who earned a degree in ag economics and then got a job at Mart. He was able to work with Nate for five years before he retired.
Jim McBride’s career at Mart Produce spanned 31 years. Over that time, the company expanded, but one constant was the Idaho potato brand, which McBride said was a plus when it came to selling potatoes. You can’t have a career that encompasses three decades without seeing some changes in technology, which Jim McBride said has been incredible over his career. Those changes include Mart Produce’s sizer/grader.
Something McBride decided early in his career at Mart Produce was to make the company “his own,” so to speak.
“I took ownership and I’d fight for [Mart’s owners],” he said. “I felt it was my responsibility to represent the owners.”
That ownership paid off. “From the time I started to the time I retired we tripled our volume of potato sales,” he said.
Sales volume aside, his efforts didn’t go unnoticed. McBride was elected to the Idaho Grower Shippers Association board of directors and served on the board for six years, two (2015-16) as its chairman.
“That was a great experience,” he said. “I think the IGSA is one of the great organizations in Idaho. We’re
all competitors but we got along. I miss my friends in the IGSA. I think the world of IGSA. It’s a great organization with great people.”
The Idaho Potato Brand
On a broader scale, the Idaho potato brand was a big boost when it came to selling potatoes to some of his biggest (and smaller) clients such as Kroger, Sysco, Albertsons and Safeway, to name a few. “The Idaho brand carried a lot of weight in the marketplace,” he said.
Along with changes in technology (before and after he retired), McBride said the industry has become more competitive. As for the advances in technology, he commented, “It’s unbelievable the technology available today,” he said.
“It’s fun to watch it at work.”
That includes sizers/graders, which Mart added since McBride retired. The company also added a frozen potato facility to the south of the packing shed. He was there when Mart expanded is packing shed, which is much larger than the old facility (which is still used in various ways, i.e., storage) and features much of the technology McBride referred to. He was able to work in the new packing shed for the final five years of his career.
McBride, along with is wife Melani, have stayed busy since his retirement, traveling and serving in their church, which included an 18-month mission to Riverside, CA, as well as on the ground breaking committee for the Burley Idaho Temple, which is southwest of where the McBrides live.
Even after a lifetime of work and service, McBride was still surprised he was named this year’s Russet Aristocrat.
He said, “I’m honored they would name me the Russet Aristocrat.”
IGSA Russet Aristocrat Award Recipients
Honoring Excellence in the Idaho potato industry
The Russet Aristocrat Award is the Idaho Grower Shippers Association’s highest honor, presented to growers and shippers who have made exceptional contributions to the Idaho potato industry. Recipients are regular members whose leadership, innovation and long-standing service have left a lasting impact on the success and reputation of Idaho potatoes.
2025 Jim McBride
2024 Kevin Searle
2023 Robert Tominaga
2022 Steve Trevino
2021 Dave Kingston
2020 *Convention Cancelled
2019 Kent Taylor
2018 Dale Mickelsen
2017 Kevin Webster
Jim McBride stands next to some of Mart Produce’s labels/brands from over the years. McBride retired from Mart Produce 6 years ago.
IGSA’s 2025 Russet Aristocrat Jim McBride served as chairman of the IGSA board from 2015-2016.
Marc Christensen Chairman Mart Produce
Kevin Stanger Treasurer/Secretary Wada Farms
Bryan Mickelsen Rigby Produce Coleman Oswald Vice Chairman Eagle Eye Produce
Calvin Butler Past Chairman GPOD
Ragen Darrington IVI
Steve Cummings IPAK
Kendall Rolfe Idaho Sunfresh
Ernie Eggers Driscoll Potato
Idaho Potato Industry Political Action Committee
Political Action Committees, or as it is commonly referred to as a PACs, have become increasingly important in election cycles and are one of the primary ways those running for office are using to raise election funds.
In 2024, the Idaho Grower Shippers Association (IGSA) officially launched the Idaho Potato Industry Political Action Committee. This was a big step in making sure the voice of Idaho’s most famous commodity was heard at the state political level.
Here, the IGSA Executive Director and General Counsel Shawn Boyle shares insights into the origins, motivations, and early impact of the PAC.
Background On The Idaho Potato Industry
For years, the Idaho potato industry did not have a Political Action Committee. Everyone recognized the need but it just had not come together. What we really
needed was an organization willing to step up and lead the charge. That is exactly what the IGSA did.
In 2023, the conversation really gained momentum, largely due to the changing political environment in Idaho. The IGSA Board of Directors and our members saw that the political landscape was shifting, and if we wanted to protect the favorable business environment that agriculture had relied on in the past, we needed to be more engaged. One of our past chairmen, Klade Williams, used to say in board meetings, “If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.” He was right: we need a seat at the table.
In early 2024, the IGSA officially launched the Idaho Potato Industry PAC. We knew it would require time, energy and resources to build momentum — but the response from the industry was strong. Since then, we have worked hard to establish the PAC as a respected and effective voice for Idaho’s potato industry in Boise.
PAC Purpose
The main reason for starting the PAC was we needed a way to support elected officials and candidates who truly understand and support agriculture, especially the Idaho potato industry. The PAC gives us a way to pool our resources and make sure the people looking out for our industry have the support they need to stay in the fight.
At the end of the day, it is all about protecting what generations before us worked hard to build — starting back in 1890 when Idaho became a state and continuing to today. Laws and policies can change quickly, and if we are not part of the conversation, we risk being left behind. The PAC ensures that Idaho’s growers and shippers have a strong voice in the political process.
PAC Successes … So Far
Although we are less than two years in, we have already seen some big wins. In 2024, we hosted three major fundraisers, including an auction during the Idaho Potato Conference and a golf scramble in
Pocatello. Those two events alone brought in more than $45,000. With those funds, we were able to support ag-friendly legislators and team up with other ag groups on important campaign efforts. In 2025, we have held similar events with similar success.
One thing we are especially proud of is the level of engagement from the industry. Asking for support has not been hard — people understand the value of having a political voice, and they are stepping up. While we are proud of the early momentum, we are still learning and adjusting. We continue to take feedback from the industry and fine-tune our efforts to make the PAC as effective as possible.
Helping Bring The Industry Together
Raising money is important of course, but one of the biggest wins has been the relationships we have built. The PAC has opened doors for conversations with lawmakers that were not as easy to start before. We are now in a better position to get ahead of potential challenges before they turn into real problems.
It has also brought our industry together. That has always been part of the mission of the IGSA. Grower, shippers and associate members are all seeing the value in being politically engaged, and the PAC is becoming something we can all rally around. It is helping build a stronger, more unified voice for Idaho potatoes.
PAC Misconceptions
There are some misconceptions about PACs, and they can carry a bit of a negative connotation. However, PACs are a normal part of the political process. They give industries like ours a way to speak with a unified voice and support candidates who already understand and care about what we do.
It is not about pushing some secret agenda — it’s about protecting our future and making sure we are part of the conversation instead of sitting on the sidelines.
P R O V I D I N G P R O V I D I N G
2 0 Y E A R S 2 0 Y E A R S
O F S E R V I C E O F S E R V I C E
2025 IGSA Scholarship Recipients
Addison Cox............................................Sun-Glo Oklahoma State University
Vanessa Wahlen......................................Pleasant Valley Idaho State University
Veronica Rodriguez .................................Wilcox Fresh Utah Valley University
Yamilet Yanez .........................................Eagle Eye Produce College of Eastern Idaho
Supporting our communities across Idaho and the future leaders of our industry is important to the Idaho Grower Shippers Association and its members. The IGSA contributes thousands of dollars in scholarship money each year to support the higher education endeavors of young individuals with a connection to the Idaho potato industry. These scholarships are available to children of IGSA members and their employees who are committed to pursuing any associate, bachelor or graduate degree or technical certification.
The 2024 IGSA Scholarship Program will include distributions of up to $15,000, made possible by generous donations from IGSA members and sponsors. To date, more than $60,000 has been awarded to scholarship recipients.
The 2024 scholarship recipients will be announced and recognized at the IGSA Annual Convention. We are proud of all our scholarship recipients, and are confident each will represent their families and the Idaho potato industry well in their future endeavors.
We congratulate our 2024 scholarship winners. They include, along with the member company and college they will be attending:
The Friend Of The IGSA Award
Honoring Outstanding Support Of The Idaho Potato Industry
The Friend of the IGSA Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional support, service and advocacy for the IGSA and its members.
Recipients of this award are associate members, including individuals from companies, organizations or service providers who support the success of the IGSA and Idaho potato growers and shippers in exceptional ways.
Past winners include:
• 2025 To be announced at the IGSA 97th annual convention
• 2024 Byron & Shanda Duffin, Musical Miles Podcast
• 2023 Alan & Debbie Mueller, Volm Companies
Alan and Debbie Mueller receive the Friend of IGSA award from IGSA’s Shawn Boyle.
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NEWTEC 4010W1 Bulk Weigher
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Allround is known for its top-quality machinery and competitive pricing. The company provides a complete line of washing, grading and cleaning machinery with free 2D and 3D drawings of your complete line, or of individual machines in an existing line. Alltec builds complete lines with capacities from 1-100 tons per hour.
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Drift/Foliar Injury
clopyralid (Stinger and others)
Site of Action: synthetic auxin Group 4
Herbicide Drift Symptoms — What’s Happening?
There are many excellent extension bulletins, research papers, popular press columns and YouTube presentations about herbicide drift onto a potato crop that include the physical nature of drift, injury symptoms on foliage and tubers, prevention strategies, carryover in seed potatoes, and the effect on potato yield and quality.
In this article, I hope to explain what is happening inside a potato plant when herbicides from one of the chemical groups – growth-regulator herbicides – drift onto the crop and cause injury symptoms such as twisted, downward bent stems (epinasty), shortened internodes and cupped, elongated leaves with parallel veins.
First, some background. In general, and very basically, herbicides are 1) contact, which only affect the green plant surface on which they land; or
Drift/Foliar Injury
(Banvel, Clarity and others)
Site of Action: Synthetic auxin –growth regulator Group 4
2) systemic, which are absorbed, then transported throughout the plant. Transportation occurs via the xylem and/or phloem systems that move water — fluids containing what it takes for growth, such as the sugar produced by photosynthesis — to the growing points in plants. Movement upward is through the plant’s xylem and down and around through the plant’s phloem. A weed science professor I knew had a little saying to describe the movement as “Xy” goes high and “Phlo” goes low.
Examples of growth regulator herbicides, also known as synthetic auxins, are 2,4-D, and the following active ingredients associated with various trade names: Banvel (dicamba), Milestone (aminopyralid), Stinger (clopyralid) and Tordon (picloram). Synthetic auxins are systemic and move throughout the plant both in the xylem and the phloem.
Naturally occurring auxin is an important hormone that regulates plant development. One action is to cause cell wall loosening, which, in turn, promotes plant cell expansion, resulting in desired, controlled growth. However, the addition of synthetic auxin from these herbicides drifting onto and absorbed into the plant overloads the natural hormone concentration, resulting in uncontrolled cell division, elongation and tissue growth. Concentration is not consistent in the plant due to the up and down movement within the plant.
Therefore, different areas of stems, for instance, can grow out of control while other areas of the stem do not, hence, the twisting and bent stem epinasty.
As for leaf injury symptoms that can be caused by synthetic auxin herbicides, the upper leaf surface might be affected more than the lower leaf surface resulting in cupping, twisted, curled leaves. Growth of leaf tissue between the veins can be inhibited, narrowing the leaf and making veins appear to be joined together and/or parallel.
Sometimes potato plants do not exhibit injury symptoms even though they’ve encountered herbicides via drift or other circumstances. Of course, these symptoms can be caused by other factors such as diseases, insects, variable weather conditions and/or nutrient deficiencies. Injury levels may be different depending on herbicide concentration in the drift and even potato varietal tolerance.
All of these factors affect diagnosis, which in turn, takes time and the
asking a lot of questions. Understanding what is happening inside the plant such as described in this article, can help correctly determine whether or not herbicides from drift are the cause of injury symptoms.
(Hutchinson is a potato cropping systems weed scientist and an affiliate faculty member in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Idaho. She can be reached at phutch@ uidaho.edu.)
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Cause of damage to these plants was dicamba drifted from an application to an adjacent corn fields.
dicamba drift
POTATOES USA
Marisa Stein, Marketing Director
How Foodservice Operators Can Unlock The Full Potential Of Potatoes
PATRONS EXPECT POTATOES ON MENUS — AND OFTEN PAY MORE FOR MEALS THAT INCLUDE THEM
Potatoes are key to meeting customers’ expectations at restaurants. Restaurant patrons not only expect potatoes to appear on menus — they’re often willing to pay more for them. Foodservice operators can continue to innovate potato menu items to meet customer expectations for creativity, flavor and affordability.
Consumers’ Love of Potatoes Is Strong
Recent data show that potatoes are tied with beef as the most expected food on restaurant menus. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of patrons associate potatoes with dining out, and 52 percent of patrons said menu items that include potatoes are more appealing than those without.
What’s more, nearly half (48 percent) of consumers are willing to pay more for potato-inclusive dishes — anywhere from $3 to $8 more per meal. (Fast casual patrons, who are more price-sensitive, indicate they are willing to spend more, but less than $3.)
Flavor and affordability are the two most important factors patrons consider when ordering potatoes. Over 78 percent said they order potatoes for their great taste; 74 percent said they find potatoes satisfying; and over 63 percent said potatoes are a good value.
At the same time, patrons are looking for restaurants to offer a variety of potato options, including healthier preparations and dishes they can’t easily make for themselves at home. Patrons said they’re willing to pay between $4-7 for a side dish featuring potatoes and $8-$13 for a main dish that includes potatoes, with a strong upward movement of price as the quality of restaurant increases.
This signals a clear opportunity for operators: the appetite for potatoes is there, but to maximize sales, restaurants need to offer more variety, including both indulgent and lighter options, and bold new flavors. For example, fast food and fast casual patrons are most interested in potatoes’ preparation and seasoning, while casual diners want more variety, and mid-scale diners want customizable preparations that focus more on fresh ingredients.
Reimagining Fries With More Toppings And Global Flavors
Fries remain the king of foodservice potato dishes, appearing on more than 70 percent of restaurant menus. However, the biggest growth opportunities lie in creative fry applications. Consumers are increasingly drawn to loaded fries, globally
inspired seasonings, and unique dipping sauces — especially Gen Z (ages 18-28), which represents strong growth opportunity for potatoes.
Key ways to elevate fries on restaurant menus include:
• Loaded and Indulgent: Gen Z consumers show a preference for indulgent, loaded potato dishes, including trending varieties of loaded fries like Greek fries, Italian fries, carne asada fries, and other topped varieties like truffle fries and buffalo chicken fries. These varieties all show strong yearover-year growth, indicating complex fry dishes may be an area to explore for innovation.
• Pairing with Signature Sauces: The rise of unique and spicy dipping sauces — including chili crisp, diablo sauce, Nashville hot, and more — adds a premium touch that is increasingly capturing consumer interest, particularly with Gen Z.
Beyond Fries And Sides: Expanding Potato Offerings
While fries remain a dominant force, and potatoes are most commonly ordered as a side, operators can look beyond the fry basket to capitalize on consumer interest in variety, innovation, and healthier preparations, particularly in casual and mid-scale restaurants.
Some potato dishes growing in penetration include:
• Breakfast Potatoes: More than 75 percent of breakfast and all-day menus feature potatoes, suggesting these would be an ideal place to start when looking to innovate offerings or pairings. Breakfast skillets with potatoes as a base — from hash brown shreds to roasted diced potatoes — present versatile, cost-effective options that have been gaining in popularity.
• Bowl Varieties: Bowls are another versatile option that can be tailored for either indulgent or health-conscious consumers. These can include mashed potato-based bowls for breakfast or topped with comfort food, or health-forward bowls featuring roasted potatoes.
While patrons are eating out less frequently across all restaurant types, potatoes present an opportunity to bring them back in. Consumers crave potatoes, expect to find them at restaurants, and find menus with potatoes more appealing than those without.
While most consumers appreciate potatoes for their affordability, nearly half are willing to pay more for them suggesting an opportunity to menu a range of potato options from simple and affordable to indulgent, premium varieties. Successful foodservice operators will keep finding creative, innovative ways to unlock the full potential of America’s favorite vegetable.
NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL
Kam Quarles, CEO
Why Sound Science Must Guide Our Nation’s Health Policy PROTECTING THE PLATE:
The recent release of the Trump Administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission report, led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy, Jr., has generated considerable discussion across U.S. food and agriculture sectors.
At the National Potato Council, we share the administration’s core objective: a healthier America, starting with our children. Indeed, we were encouraged by the report’s call for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.
We have known that these “specialty crops,” including the nutrient-dense and cost-effective potato, have been underconsumed, despite their profound health benefits. This emphasis on expanding access to and awareness of these foods is a positive step toward improving the diets of all Americans. However, beyond these initial positive statements, the MAHA report contains several recommendations and underlying philosophies backed by some activist voices that give us pause – and should concern anyone committed to the stability of America’s family farms and our food supply.
Chief among these concerns is the report’s efforts to undermine or discard the very basis of our nation’s regulatory system: peer-reviewed science and the preponderance of evidence.
There are clear signals that the MAHA report seeks to elevate the popularity and passion of individuals’ beliefs to an equal or greater standing than those of scientific experts. Doing so would set a dangerous precedent.
The U.S. regulatory system, which is built on rigorous, objective scientific inquiry, ensures that facts – not emotions, influencer opinions or unverified claims – govern decisions related to food production, safety, and nutrition. If those activists are successful, it can have a significant impact on future government recommendations or prohibitions on
how crops are grown, what Americans should consume, and the government spending that may support those purchases.
The report’s specific criticisms of pesticides, including mentions of glyphosate, are particularly troubling. While it acknowledges the need for more extensive research to establish definitive connections between certain chemicals and adverse health outcomes, the implied shift away from relying on established scientific protocols for regulatory decisions is deeply concerning.
For American family farms, this is not an abstract debate. Our growers rely on safe, thoroughly vetted, and effective tools to produce the food that feeds our nation and much of the world. To allow activist voices to twist this robust system into a European model, characterized by unscientific prohibitions and diminished competitiveness, would be a grave mistake. We have seen firsthand the challenges endured by European farmers under such a regime, and we cannot afford to push American agriculture down that unscientific and uncompetitive path.
Furthermore, the report’s broad-brush condemnation of “ultraprocessed foods, added sugars, food dyes, and additives” while advocating for a “whole-food diet” is well-intentioned but needs careful scientific calibration.
While encouraging whole, nutritious foods like whole milk, dairy, beef, leafy greens and legumes is commendable, there is an attempt to equate “processed” with “unhealthy.” Many foods undergo processing to enhance safety, extend shelf life, and make them more accessible and affordable for consumers. A common sense, sciencebased approach is critical to avoid inadvertently stigmatizing safe and beneficial food products.
The National Potato Council is committed to working with the Trump Administration towards a
healthier America. We believe that by championing increased fruit and vegetable consumption, we can make significant strides. However, our commitment is equally strong to upholding the integrity of our sciencebased regulatory system.
For the sake of American family farms and the consumers they serve, we must ensure that our nation’s health policies are founded on validated, rigorous scientific principles, not on the shifting sands of public opinion or the passions of a vocal and influential few.
COLORADO
POTATO ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
Tara Artho, Executive Director
Fresh Eyes on Fresh Market Potatoes – Part 2
I want to thank Caroline Gray, Senior RA, for the potato breeding program at the San Luis Valley Research Center (SLVRC).
She took a lot of time out of her schedule to give me a crash course in “Breeding 101.” I graduated college with a Radio, TV and Film Communications degree so I can be honest when I say I took the bare minimum science requirements to graduate, not to mention it had been well over a decade since I needed to name the official parts of a plant.
Picking anthers to emasculate a flower, and extracting pollen were things buried in the very deepest part of my freshman botany brain, if they were ever there at all. To say the least, I had slept since then and was in desperate need of a refresher. Caroline showed me the process from extracting true potato seed, or nuclear seed, and the difference between that and what I knew as potato seed tubers.
I was shocked at how long it takes to develop a new breed, not to mention one that might be more disease or drought resistant. The importance of keeping that research going is HUGE. After all, the potato seed is still alive and has to be
kept that way as to not lose years of research. It is not as easy and putting a book on the shelf and then picking it back up when you want to continue studying. Those plants must be maintained year after year and many of the research dollars that they depend on to do so come from things like the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant.
Consumers are demanding much more from their food and it is this type of research that makes what they want possible. More with less water, more with less pesticides, more with a smaller carbon footprint, not to mention a longer shelf life and we want it to be the prettiest potato without a single blemish in June, even thought they were harvested almost a year ago. It really is amazing what researchers have made possible and what they continue to strive for. After learning more about the SLVRC breeding program and touring the tissue culture lab, I had a much better grasp on what goes into the perfect potato seed. The next step was to join the crew for planting. Almost seven months to the day after I moved from Texas to Colorado, Zach Czarnecki, the research center manager, invited me to participate in
One of Tara Artho’s experiences in her first year as executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee is to help plant potatoes at the research station in the San Luis Valley.
some live action. Of course, I had seen several of our larger growers planting around the SLV, but it did not prepare me for the labor-intensive task that the researchers were tackling. The planting equipment consisted of a piece of machinery that had four chairs welded to a platform behind a tractor. In front of every chair was a small vertical conveyer belt that had small cups about the size of your palm.
For everyone in a chair, myself included, we were putting a quartered potato (seed) into each cup as the tractor slowly moved forward and the conveyer belt dropped it down into the soil. We planted about 15 potato seeds and then stopped to grab a different type of seed. With so many different research projects to juggle, precision is key. We were lucky enough to have some truly fabulous weather. Often, this time of year can bring straight line winds that will blow your potato seed right out of the cup. Sadly, while we were out there one researcher lost her cell phone. She couldn’t find it for weeks, it rained, they cultivated the potatoes and surprise, surprise! We had planted the phone. The good news is IT STILL WORKS.
This time of year, many warehouses are also doing maintenance and cleaning to prepare room for the new crop. Working with the Colorado Department of Ag to manage cull piles is on top of the to-do list. We are one of the few states with a late blight quarantine, meaning by June 1 you have to destroy any potatoes just lying around outside. Also, if you are transporting them, they must be tarped. We have kept the SLV clean of late blight for over two decades, but it is a nasty potato fungus that can spread like wild fire. You can sneeze in the southern part of the state and if one spore catches the crazy winds we have here, it could decimate entire fields within 48 hours.
I never thought how hard it would be to make a potato disappear. But we are in luck; people aren’t the only ones who think potatoes are tasty. Cows and sheep love them, too.
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The lessons continue. Please check out our next chapter of Fresh Eyes on Fresh Market Potatoes in the next edition of Potato Grower Magazine.
MICHIGAN
POTATO INDUSTRY COMMISSION
Zeke Jennings, Marketing and Communications Manager
Reverse Processors Tour Offers
Insightful Industry Experience
GROUP TRAVELS HUNDREDS OF MILES, GAINS VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE
The Michigan Potatoes Reverse Processors Tour, held June 3-5, provided a rare and comprehensive look into the end destinations of Michigan’s potato crop.
Organized by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC), this unique journey, which included about 30 members of Michigan’s potato industry, flipped the traditional perspective by following the supply chain backward — from final product processors all the way to the origins in Michigan’s potato fields.
Over the course of three days, attendees boarded a commercial touring bus in East Lansing and traveled across three states, visiting a variety of processing plants and facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. With snacks, drinks and comfort
built in, the trip was designed not just for education, but also for networking and camaraderie within the industry.
Day One
The tour’s first stop was Campbell’s Soup facility in Napoleon, Ohio, where the group gained insights into how potatoes are incorporated into soups and meals on a large commercial scale. After the tour, the group continued to Shearer’s in Massillon, Ohio — known for its snack foods. The group was provided an informative walk-through of their potato chip processing operations and insights into the partnership between the MPIC Demonstration Storage Facility and Shearer’s in the search for the perfect chipping potato. Following a long drive across Ohio into Pennsylvania, the day concluded with hotel check-in in Lewisburg in central Pennsylvania. Despite travelling nearly 600 miles, the group
From left, Dr. Dave Douches of Michigan State University; Jim Fitzgerald of Utz; Mitch Keeney of Our Home; Jack Corriere of Utz, now retired; and Chris Long of Michigan State University enjoy dinner and a cold beverage.
remained energized, with many already sharing reflections on the insights gained from just the first two visits.
Day Two
The second day began early with a Middleburg visit to Middleswarth, a name synonymous with classic kettle-cooked chips. Kevin Bowersox, a potato buyer at Middleswarth, noted how valuable it was for growers and breeders to interact directly with processors.
“Getting to meet growers and potato breeders … really sheds a different light on things. I fail to see any negatives to this tour,” he said.
Bowersox added that being asked by growers about what Middleswarth looks for in a variety was a great way to build connection between processors and farmers. “[I valued] being asked what size of potatoes makes the biggest difference in processing. What future varieties in the pipeline are you looking forward to processing?” he said.
Next on the itinerary was Masser-Keystone in Tremont, a key player in packing and processing.
Attendees then visited the Utz cheeseball, tortilla and extruded product production facility in Hanover.
This stop allowed for an up-close view of how different snack items are produced at scale, from dough mixing to packaging. The day wrapped with a dinner that included a visit from Nathan Tallman, director of the Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers, Mitch Keeney from Our Home Snacks, Jim Fitzgerald from Utz, and Jack Corriere, retired VP of sales for Utz. Afterward, the group made the final journey of the day to their overnight accommodations in Hanover.
Day Three
The final day was short but packed with value. They visited Herr’s in Nottingham, one of the most iconic snack brands in the country. The group got an in-depth education on pretzel making and the chip processing side of the company. The facility impressed attendees with its scale and automation. Ragen Horst from E.K. Bare met the group along the tour and had an opportunity to talk about the work that E.K. Bare does in potato procurement for Herr’s. After a short break, the group began the long return to East Lansing. Despite an arduous eight-hour drive, spirits remained high as participants processed the week’s learnings and newly formed connections.
Building Understanding And Industry Bonds
The tour’s value extended beyond facility tours — it served as a bridge between growers, breeders, processors and equipment specialists. Attendee Ryann Omer of Potato Services of Michigan remarked, “It was great to put faces to all the names I e-mail with on a regular basis ... I found a lot of value in the trip.”
Jaxon Deur of Modern Produce Equipment echoed that sentiment, saying “We walked away with lots of good connections and knowledge of the
chip industry.”
Overall, the Michigan Potatoes Reverse Processors Tour exemplified the importance of cross-industry collaboration. By experiencing the full arc of the potato’s journey — backwards — attendees walked away with richer context, stronger partnerships, and a renewed appreciation for the role Michigan potatoes play across the U.S. food system.
(Jennings can be reached at zeke@ mipotato.com.)
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A group of Michigan potato industry members joins with the staff at Middleswarth Potato Chip at a production facility in Middleburg, Pennsylvania.
NEBRASKA
Jenn Dillinger, Administrative Manager
Harvesting The Past
CELEBRATING INNOVATION THROUGHOUT AG HISTORY
One of my first extracurricular tasks when I began working at the certification agency in Nebraska was to help with the local Harvest Festival, an event hosted each fall by the Legacy of the Plains Museum, located nearby in Gering, Nebraska.
To my shame, I had never attended the festival before, even though I have lived in the region for most of my life. So it was a new experience for me, and one I am excited to repeat.
The reason we were asked to help is that each year the festival features one of the crops that has had a significant impact on the development of our region, since agriculture is and has always been a driving force here, and that was the year of the potato. We set up a booth, handed out information about the Nebraska potato industry, showed off samples of the wide variety of potatoes that our seed producers grow every year, answered lots of questions about people’s gardens and had a wonderful time.
While exploring the museum grounds, those attending the festival were able to learn about the history of potatoes in western Nebraska, see how potato planters of various types work, watch a digging demonstration with a variety of equipment (one even horse-drawn) and then head into the field to pick their own potatoes and purchase them as a fundraiser for the museum.
There was a great deal of excitement, especially about the demonstration. From young kids in awe of strangelooking equipment to the more seasoned members of the crowd telling stories of how they had helped use similar tools, there was a lot of buzz
about potatoes.
That buzz is appropriate. Potatoes have a rich history in Nebraska, the panhandle in particular, whether people today remember it or not. While strolling the exhibits of the museum, you can read about many early community standouts, including T.J. Lockwood, who designed his first potato grader while living in Kimball County in 1935. From there, he began production, renting a small back room for $5 a
month in Gering in 1937, which quickly grew to a factory the size of a city block and then a corporation with factories located in multiple states, producing more than 100 different products to facilitate potato production.
To the north, in Hemingford, Hansen Manufacturing was producing potato planters starting in the 1940s. Grocery shelves were even stocked with local products, thanks to Cawley’s Potato Flakes, a potato chip company that
L.L. Cawley started in his garage in Scottsbluff in 1921. By 1931, he was processing 6,000 pounds of potatoes every day and eventually grew to own a fleet of trucks that delivered within a five-state region until 1983.
This year the Harvest Festival will be celebrating the year of corn, another crop vital to the development of this region, but the museum still planted a two-acre plot of potatoes, donated by Thompson Seed Potatoes in nearby Alliance. Their passionate volunteers will still show off some of the equipment and digging techniques, and let people pick and purchase their own potatoes, even if the main parts of the festival are focused on another crop.
Legacy of the Plains Executive Director David Wolf stresses that the festival is not only a way to make history fun, but to showcase the work ethic, dedication
and skill of those who work in the agricultural field, both now and in the past. They strive to show the vast differences in equipment used within the past 120 years to demonstrate the innovation that comes hand-in-hand with this industry.
As the world’s population grows, more food is needed on less available land. The people feeding the world are, by necessity, some of the most creative problem solvers that there are. And that’s worth celebrating. So the next time you find yourself on the seemingly never-ending drive through Nebraska that is I-80, the museum is a mere 40 minutes north from Kimball. It’s worth a stop.
Helping with the festival was a good reminder that history can be one of our greatest teachers. In 2023, Nebraska potato producers planted nearly 22,000
acres of potatoes. This was a slight increase overall, which has been the general trend. Potatoes are on the rise, but the number of potato producers has decreased dramatically since the days when the equipment displayed at the museum was being used.
As a result, it is not uncommon for me to hear comments like, “We have potatoes in Nebraska?” Events like the Harvest Festival, which highlight the agricultural practices that shaped our communities and the preservation of the tools used provide great opportunities to educate and inspire the next generation of ag producers. Because, yes, we have potatoes in Nebraska. And while the equipment and practices may have changed, they still help shape communities.
COLLECTORS
& STINGERS/PUPS
2020 Harriston 4556 Collector 48” BC Table, 2/36” belt Stingers
2001 Mayo 250 Side shift Belt Table 36”w/ 2 Stingers
2015 Double L 832 Stinger 36” BC w/ fingers
2014 Spudnik 2200 Belt Stinger 30”x10’ 3ph
DIRT ELIMINATOR
2014 Spudnik 990 Multi Sep Dirt Elim 72” 480 volt 3ph
2011 Spudnik 96” 990 BC Elev. Reverse roll table sizing table
PLANTERS
HARVESTERS
CROSSOVERS/WINDROWERS
discharge
ROCK/CLOD/AIR ELIMINATORS
2023 Lockwood Vacs Mobile
2012 Harriston 3240 CH fingers peg belt blower sizing fingers 480 V 3ph
2002 Harriston 240 CH Ellis Table 480 Volt 3ph 1995 Harriston 200 CH New13 finger roller table 480 volt 3ph
SCOOPER
Spudnik 100 24” 3ph
Spudnik 1000 Scoop trailer
split picking cross out conv.
2004 Spudnik 995 DES 72” split picking 230 volt 3ph.
