EAGLE, IDAHO, May 1, 2008 - Every year for 17 years, retailers have pulled out all stops to build the best and most creative Idaho Potato display in the country, and the entries for the 2008 Idaho Potato Commission's "Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest" prove that this annual event is better than ever. The Idaho Potato Commission's (IPC) Retail Display Contest received 1,886 entries this year and awarded more than $150,000 in cash and merchandise prizes to retailers across the country. In addition, every qualified entrant received a genuine Swiss Army watch worth $115!
"Feedback from this contest has always been extremely positive. Retailers seem to love the opportunity to be creative, increase produce sales and possibly win some cash and prizes," said Seth Pemsler Vice President, Retail/International, IPC, "Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who submitted an entry."
For the fourth consecutive year, the IPC partnered with potato topping favorites: KRAFT® Cheese Whiz, and OSCAR MAYER® Real Bacon Bits and Ready To Serve Bacon to help retailers create mouth-watering sales-driving product displays. Overall, the contest generated entries from supermarkets of all sizes and from all corners of the country - each using existing and customized point-of-sale materials and recipes to drive sales of Idaho Potatoes and the participating Kraft products.
"This year, the review committee received hundreds of extraordinary photos and even entire scrapbooks of Potato Lover's Month displays. The entrants really go all out for this fun, rewarding contest. The IPC's Spuddy Buddy took center stage as 'Super Spud' the caped crusader ready to save any meal and 'Conducter Spud' persuading consumers to 'get on the right track' by adding healthy potatoes to their meal," said Pemsler.
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1st Place Display Winners
1-5 CASH REGISTERS Randy Bonner Spains Supermarket Grenada, MS | 6-9 CASH REGISTERS Steve Lambert Piggly Wiggly Bonifay, FL | 10+ Cash Registers Sharon Brennan Viking Village Foods Reedsburg, WI |
Shawn Parce Viking Village Foods Reedsburg, WI |
MILITARY WEST Robert Nolan Fort Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth, KS | MILITARY EAST Debbie Clark McGuire AFB McGuire AFB, NJ |
Judging
Entries were judged and prizes were awarded by the Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest Review Committee based on the following criteria: use of Potato Lover's Month signage; creativity of the display; how the display incorporates the partner products; perceived success in generating incremental sales for those products; and, perceived impact on the produce section and the store.
Hungry for more? Check out the Idaho Potato Commission's website: www.idahopotato.com and click on "Media/News" to unearth more information about what the IPC is up to. Through the website you may also access the IPC's recipe inventory featuring hundreds of recipes from traditional favorites to innovative creations - each featuring Idaho's famous premium potatoes.
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.