07/06/07 Washington spud grower comes full circle with fry exports to Mexico

Farm and Ranch July 6, 2007 When Governor Chris Gregoire leads a trade delegation to Mexico next week one of those traveling with her will be Washington potato grower Frank Martinez. It will be his 8th trip to Mexico in seven years on behalf of the Washington State Potato Commission and he will be promoting goodwill for the state's French fry and fresh potato industry. Potato Commission Director of Trade Matt Harris is also going on the trip and he says this is really Frank Martinez coming full circle. Harris: "You know him coming from Mexico as a young child with his family, landing in Washington state, becoming involved in the potato industry and then becoming a very successful businessman, a potato grower and growing processing potatoes for French fries that are exported around the world." Including Mexico. Another potato industry representative in the delegation will be Roger Knutzen, a fresh and chipstock potato grower from the Skagit Valley. Trade Director Harris says that with the help of the processing industry they will be putting on two French fry promotions, one in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara. Harris: "And so the governor will be coming into stores and talking about Washington state potatoes, which are the primary source of their French fry consumption." And Governor Gregoire will also help the industry work on getting more access for fresh potatoes into Mexico. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow. I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.