Joint Washington/Oregon effort promotes fresh northwest spuds in Asia

Farm and Ranch December 4, 2009 Consumers in several Asian countries should now know more about fresh northwest potatoes. Matt Harris, Director of Trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, explains why.

Harris: “This was our first joint-venture with the Oregon Potato Commission. Executive director Bill Brewer and from our office executive director Chris Voigt and myself and growers participated in a 12-day program in Asia. We traveled to Taiwan, to the Philippines, to Hong Kong and Macau.“

And the purpose was to educate consumers about fresh northwest potatoes, particularly some of the newer varieties from the Tri-State Breeding Program.

Harris: “Some of the new purple and yellow and red blush varieties that are being bred out. With these new varieties we wanted to make sure consumers have a full awareness of what these varieties are and how to use them in their consumption.”

The state departments of agriculture in Washington and Oregon helped with seminars and the directors of both departments were on the trip.

Harris: “And through this process Oregon Potato Commissioner, Chef Leif Benson, who is the executive chef at Timberline Lodge, participated in this program promoting our varieties from the Pacific Northwest.”

Harris called it an exceptional trip with inroads made that may help expand exports into these important markets.

That’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow! I’m Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.