Latest News from the IPC

More retailers than ever before decked their aisles in February with spectacular spud displays. Their motivation: The hope of winning their share of the $150,000 in cash and prizes awarded in the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) Potato Lover’s Month (PLM) Retail Display Contest. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Contest is the IPC’s longest-running promotion and has proven to be more popular than ever before, garnering a record of 2,515 entries.

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) and Fresh Gourmet® announced the winner of one of their biggest and most successful promotions ever, the “Win Free Groceries for a Year Sweepstakes.” Maija Liepins, of Dublin, Ohio received $10,400 in gift cards to use at the grocery store of her choice. Liepins selected Meijer, a one-stop shopping center with over 195 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

The USDA recently unveiled new Dietary Guidelines for Americans which outline evidence-based nutritional advice to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce overweight and obesity rates through improved nutrition and exercise habits. Consumers hoping to put the advice from these guidelines into practice need look no further than Idaho® potatoes to provide a wholesome nutritional base for any meal.

Upscale grocery store chain, Hen House, celebrated Potato Lover’s Month (PLM) with a storewide “spudtacular” promotion that included culinary demos, giveaways and, of course, an abundant supply of Idaho® spuds.

Look no further than this incredible Baked Idaho® Potato Salad created by Chef Carlos Barillas of the Burger & Beer Joint in Miami Beach. This palate-pleasing salad won first prize at the 2011 South Beach Wine &Food Festival’s Idaho® Potato Side Dish Challenge.

The nation’s most talented chefs competed for a ‘good cause’ at the fifth annual Food Network South Beach Wine &Food Festival’s Burger Bash. In addition to the battle to create the best burger, their love for spuds was tested during the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) Side Dish Challenge. The Grand Prize was a $5,000 donation to Florida International University made by the IPC on behalf of Chef Carlos Barillas, Corporate Chef of Burger &Beer Joint, Miami Beach.

February is Potato Lover’s Month and spud lovers in Spanish Fork, Utah are in for a special treat. Fresh Market grocery store has built the world’s largest Idaho® potato display in the produce department using 240,000 russet potatoes. The display made its debut today and will be up until every last potato is sold!

Jessica Reddick is announced as the first winner of the Idaho Potato Commission's Recipe of the Month Photo Contest! February's recipe is Idaho Potato Mocha Fudge Cake.

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is offering its 2011 Shippers &Processors Directory free of charge to commercial and non commercial foodservice operators. It is an informative, 4 color- guide that provides updated contact information for all licensed Idaho shippers, exporters and suppliers; brand listings and shed numbers are also included.

Idaho Potato Commission's (IPC) Continued Relief Efforts Help Haitian Children One Year After Devastating Earthquake Volunteers and Financial Donations Needed! WHAT: One year after the earthquake in Haiti devastated millions of lives, 200 Boise volunteers will spend the afternoon assembling 100,000 MannaPack™ Potato meals to send to malnourished children in Haiti and other impoverished areas around the globe.