BOISE, ID, December 27, 2004 - The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is raising the stakes this year and plans to award more than $150,000 in cash and prizes as part of it's 14th annual Potato Lovers' Month retail display contest.
The IPC, along with its 2005 contest partner, Kraft® Foods (Cheese Whiz® and Kraft® Ranch Dressing, specifically) expects an excellent response to the contest, which celebrates Potato Lovers' Month in February and encourages retailers across the country to demonstrate their imagination and creativity in the display contest. Last year's entries exceeded all previous contest years, both in terms of level of participation and quality of entrants.
In addition to potentially winning valuable cash prizes, every qualified entrant will receive a free 5-inch screen portable television valued at $60. Besides the display contest, the Ad Contest Overlay Program presents retailers with another opportunity to win big. Also new this year, category managers will win a matching prize if their store entry is awarded a first through fifth place prize.
This is the 14th year in a row that the IPC has executed an annual retail display contest during February.
"This contest means a lot to us," said Seth Pemsler, Vice President Retail, IPC. "Of course it celebrates our potatoes, but it also provides the IPC and our Kraft® Foods associates an avenue to recognize and reward its retail partners throughout the United States who work hard every day to display and merchandise all of the products they're responsible for. Plus, the end winners are the consumers who benefit from the imaginative displays."
To enter, retailers are asked to create an attention-getting display that promotes Idaho Potatoes with Kraft® Cheese Whiz® and Kraft® Ranch Dressing. Retailers are reminded to tie in both products' consumer websites: www.idahopotato.com and www.kraftfoods.com to provide their customers access to hundreds of great recipe ideas. For the Ad Contest Overlay Program, retailers mail a copy of the entire circular that features the Potato Lovers' Month Display at their store.
Winners of the display contest will receive cash prizes ranging from $1,250 for first prize to $100 for the 100 Honorable Mention awards. In all, 115 Display Contest cash prizes will be awarded totaling over $21,000, plus 15 match prizes for category managers. In addition, 30 Ad Contest cash prizes will be awarded, totaling $6,000.
Retailers may obtain entry forms by visiting the IPC website (www.idahopotato.com), calling the Idaho Potato Commission at (208) 334-2350, contacting their regional representative, contacting their local Kraft representative or faxing their request to (208) 334-2274 c/o Potato Lovers' Contest.
Idaho Potato clip art is available both online and in print form to create store displays and the images are downloadable from www.idahopotato.com. In addition, a new display kit consisting of a variety of items, including two inflatable Spuddy Buddy dolls, is available to decorate displays. Retailers may contact their headquarters to order the kits from the Commission.
There are three categories, based on store size, and the displays must be in place at least one week during January 23 through February 27, 2005 contest period. To enter, retailers must provide qualified entries and photos of their respective 2005 displays. Entries must be received no later than March 31, 2005 and all winners will be notified by April 30, 2005 and can be submitted directly through the Idaho Potato Commission website (www.idahopotato.com).
Although Idaho is famous worldwide for its premium potatoes, some consumers don't realize that only potatoes grown in the Gem State can wear the "Grown in Idaho" Seal. Both words Idaho® Potatoes and the "Grown in Idaho®" seal are federally registered Certification Marks that certify to consumers that they are purchasing genuine Idaho Potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho.