EAGLE, IDAHO, May 3, 2010 – Retailers pulled out all the stops this year to secure their share of the $150,000 in cash and prizes awarded in the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 19th Annual Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest. Floor-to-ceiling, head-turning displays and increased retailer participation demonstrated that the most anticipated retail promotion of the year is more popular than ever.
“With potatoes being one of the only categories in the produce department experiencing double-digit volume growth, it’s no surprise we received close to 10% more entries than we did in 2009. Displays attract customers and by increasing potato sales, retailers are able to off-set some of the margins lost on items that are not performing as well,” said Seth Pemsler, Vice President, Retail/International, IPC. “This contest has become a tradition for many retailers. It’s an easy and fun way for them to increase sales and possibly win a substantial cash prize for themselves and their store.”
To add some spice to the displays, the IPC again partnered with Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends® and Molly McButter®, two potato topping favorites. In addition to showcasing these two brands, all displays had to include fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both) that have a clearly discernable label showing the Idaho name and the “Grown in Idaho®” seal and a clearly marked dehydrated Idaho® potato product.
“Obviously one of the goals of the contest is to boost sales during a month when produce sales throughout the department are slow. However, we also want to encourage consumers to look for the ‘Grown in Idaho®’ seal every time they make a potato purchase, whether it be fresh, frozen or dehydrated. It’s the only way they can be assured they are buying a premium, quality potato grown in the state of Idaho,” said Pemsler.
The Winners…
More than $150,000 in cash and prizes was awarded with a total of $34,000 awarded as cash prizes to the top 115 participants, including matching prizes to category managers.
- 1st Place winners receive $1,500 each
- 2nd Place winners receive $1,000 each
- 3rd Place winners receive $750 each
- 4th Place winners receive $500 each
- 5th Place winners receive $250 each
- 100 Honorable Mentions each receive $100
To view photographs of all the winning entries, a complete list of winners and how the prizes were awarded, visit
http://retail.idahopotato.com/plm.
1st Place Display Winners |
1-5 Cash Registers
Gleo Runyon
Pick n Save
Ironton, OH |
6-9 Cash Registers
Robert Kruse
Sweetbay Supermarket
Tampa, FL |
10+ Cash Registers
Fred Sweany
Buehler's Fresh Foods
Wooster, OH |
2nd Place Display Winners |
1-5 Cash Registers
Cheryl Beatty
Community Market
Chillicothe, OH |
6-9 Cash Registers
David Dozier
G.F.F. Foods
Moore, OK |
10+ Cash Registers
Sharon Brennan
Viking Village Foods
Reedsburg, WI |
3rd Place Display Winners |
1-5 Cash Registers
Ann Kelch Schurtz
Community Market
Marysville, OH |
6-9 Cash Registers
Jeff Stewart
Piggly Wiggly
Bonifay, FL |
10+ Cash Registers
Jeff Lucas
Neptune City Foodtown #339
Neptune City, NJ |
Contest Details
The contest was open to retail supermarket chains and independents only. Displays had to be in place for at least one week during the January 25 - February 26, 2010 contest period and set up in the produce section of the store.
Entries were judged and prizes were awarded by the Potato Lover's Month Display Contest Review Committee based on the following criteria:
- perceived success in generating incremental sales for those products;
- creativity of the display;
- perceived impact on the produce section and the store;
- how the display incorporated the partner products; and
- use of Potato Lover's Month signage.
For high-resolution downloads click on the images to the right and save to your desktop.
About the IPC
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research. The Commission also protects the use of the “Idaho® potato” and “Grown in Idaho®” seals, which are federally registered certification marks that belong to the IPC. These marks ensure that consumers are purchasing potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho. For more information visit www.idahopotato.com.
