Potato Contribution Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. The U.S. potato industry now has a much clearer picture of what their contribution to the U.S. economy is.
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says data from a new Michigan State University study is, well, are you sitting down? …
QUARLES … “The numbers that are in are pretty staggering Bob. $100.9 billion dollars a year is generated. That’s the economic contribution of the entire U.S. potato industry supply chain.”
And that, Quarles says doesn’t just happen without a little help …
QUARLES … “714-thousand jobs every year are, in some way, touched and supported by the industry that begins on potato growers’ family farms across the United States.”
With all that, Quarles says comes pride and influence …
QUARLES … “Certainly a lot of pride and a lot of respect for folks who are allied with industry. And certainly, when we’re pushing on issues related to our core business on Capitol Hill, I think this type of data clearly indicates to policy makers what the benefit is from creating an environment where the potato industry can thrive.”
The data was released on the first day of the 2023 Washington Summit Tuesday.
Tune in tomorrow for more on the potato industries’ contribution to the U.S. economy and what it means.
