New Name For Potato Marketing Entity

Since 1971, the U.S. marketing entity that promotes potatoes had been known as the United States Potato Board. At the recent annual meeting, the organization's name was changed to Potatoes USA. President and CEO Blair Richardson explains

Richardson: "This is part of the strategic planing process that we undertook this year. It was clear that the farmers, the growers, the members of this organization what was more important to them was more about the potatoes than the organization — which I am fully supportive of — we are not in the business to promote who the board is, we are in business to promote potatoes."

In addition to the name change, the organization has a newly created mission and strategic plan that was also approved at the annual meeting. Richardson continues

Richardson: "This is a great industry. We have the number one consumed vegetable in the United States, as well as the world by far. While we don't always have the most profitable as years, we are in a great position that just about any other commodity group would love to be in."

He adds that Potatoes USA will continue having a positive impact on long-term demand, consumer awareness, research efforts and utilization of potatoes by foodservice and retail operators, consumers and other entities.