7-15 IAT Idaho-Iowa

 The potato truck is coming again.

 Last year the Idaho Potato Commission made a big splash when they launched the potato  truck tour that covered much of the United States. I am sure that you’ve all seen some form of this advertising vehicle, either in person or on TV. The folks at the Idaho Potato Commission have told me again and again that it has been a marvelous success. As most of you know, I am a huge fan of the state of Idaho, potatoes, the potato commission, Frank Muir who is the executive director of the Idaho Potato Commission. That said, I had my doubts about how a huge replica of a potato on the back of a semi could draw crowds and be a marketing success. It turns out my skepticism is unwarranted as evidenced by the eyewitness accounts of the driver of that truck, Mr. Paul Humbracht who I caught up with on-the-job:  “it has been an incredible experience. I drove last year for the tour and signed up again because I had so much fun seeing people wave at us while we drive, the enthusiasm everywhere we go is incredible.” So incredible that they are at it again. “This tour is more event driven. We are going to the Kentucky Derby, and the Ohio Football Hall of Fame just to name a few.” It led me to wonder if one of those states might be Iowa. The reason for my asking is that the general public often confuses Iowa with Idaho. I guess it’s understandable, four syllables starting with  a capital I. I asked Paul if he ever ran into that.  “Once in a while. In fact I had to correct a newscaster once while they were on the air. Probably embarrassed. But most people know that potatoes come from Idaho and that they are heart healthy.”