News on Food Trends from the United States

There are two likely scenarios facing U.S. potato growers in the 2014-15 season, and neither of them is sunny, according to Jerry Wright, president and chief executive officer of the United Potato Growers of America, Salt Lake City.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. announced the winners of its 2014 Sustainable Development Awards yesterday, an internal awards program that drives and rewards imaginative approaches to sustainability, and produces bottom line business results.

The State of the Snack Food Industry is strong and vibrant, but there is plenty of room to grow if snack makers respond with products, packaging, advertising and in-store merchandising that meet the needs of today’s dynamic on-the-go consumer, according to Sally Lyons Wyatt at this year's SNAXPO.

President George W. Bush, in a fascinating conversation before a SNAXPO audience yesterday, shared many of his experiences as President, and the years following, in a discussion that for many in the audience was a “once in a lifetime experience.”

Burger King Worldwide, Inc. announces that it is making SATISFRIES™ French fries the standard fry in the BURGER KING® Kid’s Meal.

Twenty-four potato growers and industry representatives joined together to form the 2014 class of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI), an annual program jointly administered by the National Potato Council (NPC) and the United States Potato Board (USPB) that identifies and cultivates the next generation of leaders within the industry.

Lay's Kettle Cooked - one of the many brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division - today announced the expansion of its hard-bite potato chip line-up with the addition of two new flavors.

Sandi Aarestad who operates Valley Tissue Culture near Halstad, Minnesota received the Meritorious Service Award from the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association

Rick Vivatson of Cavalier, North Dakota became the Northern Plains Potato Grower's Association's 65th Chairman.

Potato growers from throughout Washington state visited the state’s capital this week as part of the annual Potato Day event held in Olympia, Washington

On February 6, the Idaho Advertising Federation presented I.E. Productions, an Idaho Falls Multimedia Advertising agency with a 1st place Diamond Gem Advertising Award in the Magazine Category for a series of print ads they produced for Klondike Brands™ potatoes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the United States Potato Board. The board is composed of producers, importers and a public member, with approximately one-third of the board appointed each year.

Kettle Brand is issuing a voluntary recall on a limited run of its 4-ounce Kettle Brand Bakes Sea Salt Potato Chips because of potential exposure to milk-based sour cream seasoning, a potential milk allergen not declared on the ingredient label.

El geógrafo Karl Zimmerer, de la Universidad estatal de Pennsylvania, presentó sus conclusiones en un simposio sobre biodiversidad en la agricultura durante la reunión anual de la Asociación Estadounidense para el Avance de la Ciencia (AAAS) realizada en Chicago.

In honor of National Potato Chip Day (March 14) the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) is giving away 10,001 bags of potato chips to one of their Facebook fans.

The Potato Marketing Association of North America held a special spring meeting this past week in Las Vegas, NV to discuss progress on the 2014 pre-season potato contract negotiations.

Access to new markets, the availability of an empty facility and abundant raw materials -- they were all reasons for Minnesota-based KLN Family Brands to buy the former Troyer Farms potato chips plant in Waterford, Pennsylvania

A fire at Backer's Potato Chips plant in Missouri on Tuesday will keep the facility closed for the rest of the week after a brief fire caused some damage but no injuries