Focusing on domestic fry demand
Farm and Ranch Report April 6, 2011 U. S. Potato Board Chairman Todd Michael has always thought budget restraints didn’t allow the Potato Board to effectively promote French fries domestically. But now the Potato Board has joined forces with others to address declining U.S. French fry demand. Michael: “The industry has come together and formed a group called the Alliance for Potato Research and Education. It is made up of all the major fry processors, the Potato Board, and the National Potato Council. They are just getting organized. They’ve got enough funds committed already to get started.” And what the Alliance is beginning to do in this three-year project is to build a body of scientific research to support potato and French fry nutrition, and use the information to educate the public, that when consumed in moderation, French fries can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Michael explains why convincing domestic consumers of that message is so important to growers. Michael: “We export you know, 16 to 17% percent of our potatoes, mostly in the form of frozen, but the other 85% are consumed in this country. So, we can make even a bigger impact if we can move the needle a little bit within our country.” It is no wonder Chairman Michael thinks the Alliance is one of the most exciting programs the USPB has been involved with in some time. That’s the U.S. Potato Update. Brought to you by the United States Potato Board, maximizing return on grower investment. I’m Bob Hoff for Northwest Aginfo Net ?
