Latest News from the IPC

2018 Tour Details To Be Announced in January

EAGLE, ID, November 14, 2017 — What started as a one-year tour to celebrate the Idaho Potato Commission's (IPC) 75th anniversary has turned into the biggest (both literally and figuratively) marketing campaign in the IPC's history. Since 2012 the Big Idaho® Potato Truck has been traveling the country's highways and byways promoting America's favorite vegetable. 

EAGLE, ID, October 16, 2017 — The Idaho Potato Commission has added the new Idaho® Potato Black & White Cookie recipe to its lineup of festive holiday treats.

EAGLE, ID, October 3, 2017 — The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) launched its new television commercial during the Boise State University (BSU) vs University of Virginia (UVA) football game that aired live from Albertson's Stadium in Boise, Idaho late September. As a long-standing Bronco sponsor, this marquee game presented an ideal opportunity to unveil the seventh installment of the IPC's "Missing" commercial featuring the Big Idaho® Potato Truck, Farmer Mark and his ever-faithful hound.

First Female Grower is Appointed

EAGLE, ID, September 18, 2017 – At the 2017 Idaho Grower Shippers Association meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) announced the appointment of Mary Hasenoehrl of Gross Farms, the first female to represent potato growers. Randy Hardy of Hardy Farms and Nick Blanksma of Legacy Farms were also sworn in to serve second three-year terms.

Original Source: Tom Karst, thepacker.com

Japan is lifting it 11-year old ban on Idaho fresh chipping potatoes.

Access was revoked in 2006 soon after the Japanese market opened for the first time for U.S. potatoes when the pale potato cyst nematode was found in Idaho.

Japantoday.com reported Sept. 13 that the government of Japan opened the doors for fresh imports from Idaho for the first time since 2006, with Japanese officials citing reduced pest risks associated with the pale potato cyst nematode.

Original Source: potatogrower.com

In an announcement on its website, the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture formally approved U.S. seed and fresh potatoes for importation as of Aug. 21, 2017. U.S. potatoes are the first U.S.-origin horticulture product to be approved under Myanmar’s pest risk assessment (PRA) requirement, which came into effect on Jan. 1. Potatoes USA experts prepared the potato pest documentation for USDA submission to Myanmar to accelerate the process.

EAGLE, ID, August 18, 2017 – Just days before the 2017 Idaho® potato harvest commences, 308,000 acres of America’s favorite vegetable will be blanketed by the solar eclipse, a rare occurrence when the earth, moon and sun line up perfectly, blocking the sun from the earth’s view. While millions of tourists flock to Idaho to witness the morning sky go dark for approximately two minutes, more than 700 farmers will be preparing to unearth about 13 billion pounds of potatoes in a short six-week window.

EAGLE, ID, August 17, 2017 – Produce industry veteran Dave Rhodes has joined the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) as Retail Promotion Director-Northeast, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He replaces Ken Tubman, who is retiring after 15 years of service.

Guatemala, El Salvador culinary festivals highlight Idaho® potatoes
International IPC Website Debuts
IPC Latin America Website Gets a Makeover
Idaho Dehy Products Hit China Retail Shelves
Malaysia/Singapore Distributors Get Training in Transportation Risk Mitigation
New IPC Export Infographic Available for Download
Export Tip: When in Rome ...

Two foodservice training programs are rewarded for harnessing the power of popular digital communication platforms to help students excel in hospitality careers

ANNAPOLIS, MD, July 10, 2017 – The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) recognized new methods and breakthroughs in professional foodservice training programs with the 2017 Idaho Potato Commission Leadership Innovation Awards for Excellence in Foodservice Education at the 13th annual Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ) Leadership Conference. The International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach—part of South Carolina’s Horry Georgetown Technical College—hosted the award ceremony on June 22, 2017.