News from the IPC "Big Idaho Potato Truck" category

Eagle, ID, February 25, 2022 -- Ten years ago the Big Idaho Potato Truck hit the road for a year-long tour to celebrate the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 75th anniversary. Fast forward a decade and three giant taters later to a national phenomenon that folks still clamor to photograph and share on social media. The Big Idaho Potato Truck was the inspiration for the New Year’s Eve Potato Drop and Big Idaho Potato Hotel, which have both been recognized by media around the globe.  

Eagle, Idaho, March 13, 2020 -- The Big Idaho® Potato Truck tour has been temporarily suspended due to coronavirus concerns.

“The safety and well-being of the Tater Team and the millions of fans we meet during our six month journey are a top priority for us,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “The Big Idaho® Potato Truck will be back on the road as soon as it can. In the meantime, please stay safe everyone.”

While the Tater Team won’t be traveling, they’ll still be active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Eagle, Idaho, December 19, 2019 -- After traveling 35,350 miles for eight months promoting America's favorite vegetable, the Big Idaho® Potato Truck has officially completed its eighth season on the road. During its cross-country trek, the 4-ton spud participated in 54 scheduled events in 50 different cities and donated $12,500 to 25 local non-profits through its charitable program, A Big Helping.

“The Big Idaho® Potato Truck was only supposed to be on the road for one year to celebrate the Idaho Potato Commission’s 75th anniversary. Here we are eight years later and folks are scheduling the Truck two years out,” said Frank Muir, President & CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “By definition we have reached pop culture status -- a product or brand that has mass accessibility and appeal. Last fall the popular television show American Idol invited us to participate in their auditions in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It doesn’t get much bigger than that!"

Eagle, Idaho, October 23, 2019 – The Tater Team wrapped up its 2019 Harvest Tour throughout Southeast Idaho with a 'beary' special visit to Bear World in Rexburg, ID. The 4-ton spud was invited to drive through the park after hours and snap a few photos. It seems a few of the 72 curious free-roaming black bears were caught checking out what they hoped would be dinner. (The potato, not the people!)

Eagle, Idaho, September 11, 2019 – Long time supporter of the Idaho Falls Chukars, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) hit a home run celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Minor League Baseball team. For one night, the club reverted back to its original name, the Idaho Falls Russets, and fans had no doubt they were in the rich corner of Southeast Idaho where nearly one-third of all potatoes in the country are grown.

EAGLE, ID, September 5, 2019 – This month, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) heads full throttle into another year of exciting marketing activations promoting their heart healthy spuds. The organization kicked off the year with the premier of its newest television commercial, the latest installment in the beloved long-running Big Idaho® Potato Truck series, during the ESPNews live broadcast of Boise State University’s (BSU) football season opener against Florida State on Saturday, August 31. 

Eagle, Idaho, August 1, 2019 – For eight years, the Big Idaho® Potato Truck, a 4-ton spud on wheels, has been turning heads and stopping folks in their tracks everywhere it goes. This summer, there’s another reason why people are taking a second look at the oversized vegetable. The Tater Team, the trio that travels with the Truck promoting famous Idaho® potatoes, is all women, including the driver. According to CNBC, only 6 percent of all truck drivers are female. So if you think a giant spud is a rare sighting, so is a female truck driver.

Big Idaho® Potato Truck Kicks Off 2019 National Tour

Eagle, Idaho, April 22, 2019 – How do you dispose of a 6-ton spud made of steel, plaster and concrete? You don’t. You recycle it and turn it into the Big Idaho® Potato Hotel, the only potato hotel in the world! The 28-foot long, 12-foot wide and 11.5-foot tall potato is firmly planted in an expansive field in South Boise with breathtaking views of the Owyhee Mountains. Today the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) announced the opening of this unique retreat.

Eagle, Idaho, January 31, 2019 –When the Big Idaho® Potato dropped at midnight in front of the Capitol Building on New Year’s Eve, the Big Idaho® Potato Truck, which was front and center for the “spudtacular” show, officially ended its 2018 tour.  And what a year it was! The Truck…