DOUBLE PLAY: IDAHO POTATO COMMISSION BOOSTS CASH, PRIZES TO $200,000+ FOR 25TH ANNUAL RETAIL DISPLAY CONTEST

The 2016 Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest is set to launch in January of 2016 with new partners and double the prizes.
 

EAGLE, ID (November 17, 2015)  — The Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest will be twice as nice for 2016 with double the number of award levels, double the number of spud-friendly partner products and the largest amount of prize money ever for the annual Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) competition.

Running for nine weeks from mid-January to mid-March 2016, the display contest is expected to attract a record-breaking 5,000-plus retailers competing for the new $2,000 top award, along with nine other award levels. Also new for this year, Country Crock® Original buttery spread will join HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits as partners in the IPC promotion, offering retailers even more options for getting potato lovers fired up during a traditionally slower time of year.
 

New for this year, Country Crock® Original buttery spread will join HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits as partners in the IPC's promotion.

“By featuring Idaho® potatoes enhanced by both Country Crock® Original buttery spread and HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits, retailers can cater to their shoppers’ taste buds and their need for fast, convenient ‘comfort food’ dishes that their families will love,” says IPC marketing manager Jamie Bowen. “Every year our retailers come up with incredibly imaginative ways to display Idaho® potatoes for the contest, so this will give them more ingredients to add to the mix and help heat up winter potato sales.”

Retailers who create original in-store displays using IPC’s special point-of-sale materials will vie for increased cash awards in 2016, honoring the 1^stthrough 10^th place winners in three different store categories. Everyone who enters the contest will also receive a free Hamilton Beach Personal Cup one-cup pod brewer, compatible with coffee grounds, K-Cups and soft pods.

Contest entrants will also receive a free Hamilton Beach Personal Cup one-cup pod brewer.
 

Each in-store display should incorporate clearly marked fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both), Idaho® dehydrated potato products, HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits and Country Crock® Original buttery spread. (Country Crock® 45-ounce Original can be comfortably placed outside of refrigerated retail space for secondary placement and cross-merchandising promotions for 14 days.) Displays should also feature the IPC 2016 contest point-of-sale materials: two double-sided Potato Lover’s Month logo display signs, one large and two small double-sided signs with appetizing photos, and two inflatable Mylar Spuddy Buddies. In addition, the IPC website offers clip art and recipes at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.
 

The IPC 2016 contest point-of-sale materials include two double-sided Potato Lover’s Month logo display signs, one large and two small double-sided signs with appetizing photos, and two inflatable Mylar Spuddy Buddies.

Retailers will compete with other same-size stores in one of three categories: 1-5 cash registers, 6-9 cash registers, or 10-plus cash registers. Within each store category, entrants are eligible to win these prizes:
 

• 1^st place -- $2,000
• 2^nd place -- $1,500
• 3^rd place -- $1,000
• 4^th place -- $800
• 5^th place -- $700
• 6^th place -- $600
• 7^th place -- $500
• 8^th place -- $400
• 9^th place -- $300
• 10^th place -- $200
• Honorable Mention -- $100 (100 selected from remaining entries)

In addition, the Category Manager Match Program will award equivalent cash prizes to category managers at stores that qualify for a 1^st through 10^th place prize.
 
Contest Details
Here’s how to enter the IPC Potato Lover’s Month 2016 Retail Display Contest:
 
1. Using fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both), an Idaho® dehydrated potato product, HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits and Country Crock® Original buttery spread, develop an eye-catching display following the contest rules (available at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail).
 
2. Put up the display in your store’s produce section for at least one week between Jan. 11 and March 11, 2016.
 
3. Submit a photo (digital preferred) of the display and an entry form (available at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail) to the IPC so that it’s received no later than March 25, 2016. All winners will be notified by June 3, 2016, and posted on www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.
 
All entries will be judged on use of Potato Lover’s Month signage, creativity of the display, how the display incorporates the partner products, and perceived salability of the display. Judging will be done by the Potato Lover’s Month Display Contest Review Committee.
  

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About the Idaho Potato Commission
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho-grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research. The Commission also protects the use of the “Idaho® potato” and “Grown in Idaho” seals, which are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC. These Marks ensure that consumers are purchasing potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho. For more information, visit www.idahopotato.com.