Latest News from the IPC

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.

EAGLE, ID, July 31, 2019 – Two category leaders are spicing up both side dishes and produce sales with a new retail promotion for the 2019 holiday season. The Idaho Potato Commission and Litehouse®, Inc. are partnering on freestanding display units with coupon pads for the “Mix, Mash & Be Merry” promotion running from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. The coupon offers shoppers $1 off any Litehouse® freeze-dried herb with the purchase of a 5-pound bag of Idaho® potatoes. The shipper, billed as a holiday sides destination, features two cases each of four Litehouse®herb products: chives, garlic, parsley, and poultry herb blend.

EAGLE, ID, May 22, 2019 – A sea of showstopping displays from coast to coast made for some tough judging in the 2019 Idaho® Potato Lover’s Retail Display Contest, which gave out more than $150,000 in cash and prizes.

Eagle, Idaho, April 26, 2019 – Produce veteran Mike Krage is the newest retail superhero at the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), bringing more than 30 years of retail and wholesale produce industry experience.

As the new Retail Promotion Director-Northeast/Midwest, Mighty Mike Krage replaces Dynamite Dave Rhodes, who is returning to his retail roots as Director of Produce and Floral for Fresh Encounter, a 59-store chain in Indiana and Ohio.

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, February 7, 2019 – February is the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) favorite month. Why? It’s American Heart Month and Potato Lovers Month, making it a great time to celebrate Idaho^® potatoes. 

In a recent national survey conducted by Kelton Research, consumers were asked to pick their favorite vegetable, and Idaho^® potatoes topped the chart! More than a quarter of Americans (26%) -- or nearly 68 million -- say Idaho^® potatoes are their favored choice over broccoli (19%), corn (14%) or leafy greens (14%).

Boise, ID (February 1, 2019)—February is Idaho® Potato Lover’s Month! For many foodservice customers a side (or base or topping) of fries is a comforting treat that defines a meal. However, according to the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), they should be aware that potatoes bring much more to the plate, notably an impressive nutritional profile.

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…

Eagle, Idaho, January 4, 2019 – The competition was fierce, but the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) mascot, Spuddy Buddy was declared the #1 College Football Bowl Mascot by SBNation. Beating out other mascots like the New Mexico Bowl’s Gilden Shirt, the Belk Bowl’s Belkie the Bear and even the Chick-fil-A Cow at the Peach Bowl, the “overexcited, never-blinking humanoid potato” was the hands down winner. Per SBNation, “How could he not be No.1.”

Eagle, Idaho, December 27, 2018 – Freshman BYU quarterback Zach Wilson threw a perfect game against the Western Michigan Broncos on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium during the 22nd annual Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl (FIPB). Wilson completed all 18 passes totaling 317 yards and threw four touchdowns setting a new single-game BYU record for completions. The BYU Cougars defeated the Western Michigan Broncos from the Mid-American Conference 49-18 in the country’s premier cold-weather college bowl game with close to 20,000 folks in the stands and two million fans around the country watching it live on ESPN.