02/23/07 Developing new potato products

Ray Cesca says the potato industry needs more product development and more promotion on the nutritional value of potatoes. Cesca is a former McDonald's corporate executive whose company is trying to build alliances in the food industry. He says McDonalds is going to keep its restaurants open 24/7 and that means new opportunities for spuds, especially as a breakfast food. CESCA "I'm thinking about the fingerling potatoes, ones that you can build nutrition in that can be cooked but it's a finger food that can be used and consumed in a car with the kids in the back. Of course its 24/7 so it will be the late night workers coming home, swinging through the drive thru." 40 percent of fast food sales are made through the drive-up windows. Cesca says there are many opportunities for the potato industry to develop new types of meals or servings, but it has to think outside the box and not just concentrate on French fries and hash browns. CESCA "Maybe it's the big home fries, which is a bigger version of the French fry. Its almost a meal in itself but if it had more nutrition in it you'd probably end up just having people buy that without buying the sandwich as well." Cesca made those comments recently at the Washington State potato conference. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott