January 12, 2009, Eagle, Idaho - In the fall, millions of kids across the country will learn about the exciting world of Idaho Potatoes. Awesome Adventures, an award winning weekly syndicated television series takes kids ages 13 - 16 on incredible journeys around the world and Boise was their latest adventure destination.
The television crew, celebrity host Mystro Clark, and two local Idaho teens kicked off their adventure at a potato storage shed in Wilder, Idaho. Doug Gross, a third generation potato grower and shed owner, explained the growing, harvesting and storage process to the energetic crew who then literally jumped on a mountain of potatoes to fill their bags with the best potatoes they could find. With potatoes in hand, they arrived at Brick 29 Bistro in Nampa, Idaho, to turn their tubers in to Jo-Jo's, crispy potato wedges lightly battered and fried - delicious.
"It was a thrill for Idaho Potatoes to be featured in this high quality educational program," said Frank Muir, president and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission. "My hope is that kids who watch the program will be amazed by and appreciate all the steps it takes to get potatoes from the farm to their dinner plates."
The educational and highly entertaining TV show finds local teenagers to help host the program and add personal perspectives. Jenna Thompson (17) from Mountain Home Senior High School and Joey Eades (18) from Boise, Idaho were the stars from Boise and during their week-long whirl-wind tour they:
- Visited Opera Idaho and learned to sing Don Giovanni by Mozart
- Learned to Nordic ski and snowblade at Bogus Basin
- Participated in mascot training with "Rumble" of the Idaho Stampede basketball team
- Visited "Winter Garden Aglow" at the Botanical Garden
- Relaxed at the Gold Fork Hot Springs and took an elk feeding tour
Awesome Adventures has won numerous awards including:
- Association of Parenting Publications (NAPP)
- Honors from the Dove Foundation, and the Parent's Guide to Children's Media
- A Parent's Choice Award
- The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania rated this FCC friendly show as Highly Educational
Founded in 1937 as the Idaho Fruit and Vegetable Advertising Commission, the IPC, made-up of nine commissioners representing processors, shippers and growers, is the national authority on the world's best-loved potato. Although Idaho is famous worldwide for its premium potatoes, some consumers don't realize that only potatoes grown in Idaho can wear the "Grown In Idaho" seal. Both Idaho® Potatoes and the "Grown in Idaho®" seal are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC. For more information and recipes visit
idahopotato.com
