USPB SMAPO Trend Development Seminar

Two years ago, the United States Potato Board launched an umbrella marketing campaign called “SMAPO,” otherwise known as the Smart Potato Campaign, in Japan to highlight and promote the use of U.S. frozen and dehydrated potatoes in new foodservice menus. As part of the ongoing promotion, the USPB hosted a Trend Development Seminar in Tokyo. USPB Global Food Service Manager Susan Weller shares
Weller: “We had about 100 different participants from quick service restaurants, family-dining, importers and distributors organizations, retailers, wholesalers, caterers, hotel restaurant institutions, Japanese press and media, manufacturers as well as the U.S. embassy folks came. Actually we’ve gotten some launches from it already of potato sliders Adding the international potato cuisine has been nice. It has been good because it taking the synergies of all the different markets that we are in — including the U.S. — and bringing all of that to the forefront of how potatoes are just so versatile and they can take on any favor profile.”
At this event USPB reps from around the world submitted recipes that were provided to attendees in a glossy magazine format. One of the popular feature dishes was potato sliders — using waffle cut fries as the bun featuring international flavors.