IDAHO POTATO COMMISSION'S MILITARY COMMISSARY DISPLAY CONTEST WINNERS COUNT ON SPUD APPEAL

‘One Potato, Two Potato’ Theme Draws Record Number of Entrants for 2017

EAGLE, ID (June 13, 2017) Over 90% of the nation’s 173 military commissaries submitted entries for the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 2017 Military Commissary Display Contest, one of the most successful years ever for the annual spud-centric competition.

“Stores really came out with some very creative merchandising this year, with large, fun and even educational displays,” said military contest coordinator Cynthia Six, merchandising specialist-produce, Defense Commissary Agency Headquarters, Fort Lee, Virginia. “It was a great job by all, and we’re already looking forward as to how we can top it next year.”

Using the theme “One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato More,” military commissaries competed in two categories by store size for the top category prize of a trophy and $400 in commissary gift cards for their shoppers. Second-place category winners earned $250 in commissary gift cards for their shoppers and a plaque, and third-place winners received $150 in commissary gift cards for their shoppers and a plaque. In addition, everyone who entered received an Idaho® potato Spuddy Buddy.

“We love the enthusiasm for Idaho® potatoes among our country’s hard-working military commissary staff and customers,” said IPC marketing manager Jamie Bowen. “The display contest is a fun way to help promote a truly all-American vegetable and our partner product, HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits.”

North Island Commissary in San Diego, California, took home the first place award for Category 1 commissaries (K-1, K-2) for its colorful farm scene complete with a loaded-up Big Idaho® Potato Truck. “My whole crew is really happy we got the first place award again!” said North Island Commissary produce manager Maribel Cruz.

North Island Commissary, San Diego, California

In Hawaii, Idaho® potato superheroes flew in to save the day for Hickam Commissary at Hickam Air Force Base, which won first place among Category 2 commissaries (K-3, K-4, K-5) for its entry from staff member Tiara Filoialii. The display’s “Super Spuds!” theme showcased the health benefits of potatoes, featuring artwork of Spuddy Buddy as a red-caped avenger.

Hickam Commissary, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii

Each in-store display was required to incorporate IPC point-of-sale and point-of-purchase materials, and commissaries had to keep their displays in place April 3-16, 2017.

For photographs of the winning displays and a complete list of winners, visit www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.

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About the Idaho Potato Commission

Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho™” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, that differentiates Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states.