The Right Thing

During a conference call with our broadcast team, we were all discussing the fact that Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho passed a bill through his committee that would allow for potatoes to become acceptable in the diet of the women, infants and children's federal program otherwise known as WIC. Boss, Kelly Allen, brought up a good question. He was thinking of potato producers and wondered if WIC's ultimate acceptance would affect potato prices and volume. I called up Frank Muir, Pres. and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission. " Not only would it be sound the judgment nutritionally, but would that help potato prices and increase potato consumption? It has never been about how much more volume would be sold through the WIC program by having potatoes included. It has always been about science and doing what is right for those who are at the most high risk for not getting the right nutrition. That is women and children. One of the issues that has always bothered me is that the WIC program is designed especially for women who cannot afford nutrition. One of the nutrients that potatoes have is folate which is very important for pregnant and nursing mothers. It is very difficult to get that nutrient naturally. Most women have to supplement it with folic acid. With potatoes you have a natural vegetable where they can get it economically. So to me, adding potatoes to WIC has never been about volume, in fact we don't even sit down and try and calculate it. It is about sending the right message concerning the true nutritional value of potatoes.