Idaho Potato Commission's Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest Celebrates 20 Years Running

$150,000 IN CASH & PRIZES TO BE AWARDED

Every Qualified Entrant Receives a
Coby Snapp® Digital Camcorder – It’s a Snap to Win!

EAGLE, IDAHO, December 1, 2010 – Every February for 20 consecutive years, thousands of produce aisles around the country become the mecca for Idaho® potato lovers.  Produce managers put their merchandising skills to the test in an attempt to create the top tater display during the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) Potato Lover’s Month (PLM) Retail Display Contest.  With a prize bucket totaling $150,000 and a promise of a bump in produce sales, this promotion has become one of the most anticipated contests for retailers.  This year, every qualified entrant receives a Coby Snapp® Digital Camcorder, a prize valued at $99.

The Commission’s longest-running and most popular promotion is recognized as a surefire way to drive produce sales in February, a.k.a. Potato Lover’s Month.  Building on the success of last year’s contest, the IPC is once again teaming up with Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends and Molly McButter® to inspire store managers to design “spudtacular” product displays that drive traffic to the produce department.

“For two decades, the announcement of the IPC’s Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest has generated a flurry of excitement among retailers for two reasons:  The promotion pulls customers into the produce aisle, ultimately increasing sales and profits during an otherwise typically slow month -- not to mention that there is a significant cash incentive for them,” said Seth Pemsler, VP Retail/International, IPC. 

This popular contest offers more than 100 prizes with cash awards to the top five finishers in three store categories as well as honorable mentions:

• 1st place receives $1,500


• 2nd place receives $1,000


• 3rd place receives $750


• 4th place receives $500


• 5th place receives $250


• 100 honorable mentions each receive $100

Additionally, category managers win, too!  If their store secures a top place (1st through 5th), they will win a matching prize!

Building a winning, sales-driving display is fun and easy.

• Visit http://retail.idahopotato.com/ to read the rules and order POS materials.


• Design an attractive and memorable display with Idaho® potatoes, Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends and Molly McButter®.


• Incorporate www.idahopotato.com, www.mrsdash.com and www.mollymcbutter.com into your display to direct our customers to great recipes and information.


• Display your creative masterpiece in the produce section of your store for at least one week during the contest period of January 31 – February 25, 2011.


• Submit your entry online at http://retail.idahopotato.com/ or by mailing in an entry form along with your display photo.

IPC’s Potato Lover’s Month Display Contest Details
To enter, stores must create an attention-grabbing display prominently featuring the IPC’s Potato Lover’s Month POS materials and promoting Idaho® potato products (both fresh and dehydrated), Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends and Molly McButter®. Displays must be in place, in the produce section of the store, at least one week during the January 31 – February 25, 2011 contest period.  The contest is open to retail supermarket chains and independents only.  Retailers should review the Official Rules to determine the category that best fits their store.

To qualify, be sure to include the following products:

• Fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both) that have a clear label showing the Idaho® name and the “Grown In Idaho®” seal (displays may not include potato products from other states);


• A clearly marked Idaho® dehydrated potato product;


• Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends;


• Molly McButter®.

Retailers can use the downloadable POS materials and/or they may create their own display support materials.  Don’t forget to browse the IPC’s other useful resources, including clip art and photos, to help create custom signs.  Creativity is encouraged!  Entries are limited to one per store.  To enter online (or to obtain an entry form), retailers must visit http://retail.idahopotato.com/, click on “Potato Lover’s Month Display Contest” and follow the directions.

Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged and prizes awarded by the PLM Retail Display Contest Review Committee.  Entries will be judged on the following criteria: Use of PLM signage; creativity of the display; how the display incorporates the partner products; and perceived salability of the display.

All entries must be received no later than March 25, 2011.  All winners will be notified by May 2, 2011, and posted on http://retail.idahopotato.com/.

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.