Potato News from the United States

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is pleased to announce Kim Breshears has joined its staff as Marketing Programs Director in the Denver office. She started her new role August 18, 2014.

Life Choice, a brand of ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), has introduced Delight Bites, a puffed, multi-grain snack that’s light, crispy and loaded with taste.

The National Potato Council (NPC) is pleased to award Washington Luis da Silva, a plant pathology Ph.D. student at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., its 2014-15 Academic Scholarship.

The Potato Association of America’s new president says the organization aims to provide the industry with the best research and information available. Andy Jensen took over as president of the research organization in July.

Cae el consumo por la competencia de alimentos supuestamente más sanos y por el menor tiempo disponible para cocinar.

Saratoga Chips, America’s first kettle chip, has achieved strong growth since new owners purchased the company in the summer of 2013.

Potandon Produce is stepping up to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and make a donation to the ALS Association. Steve Ottum, COO at Potandon threw down the gauntlet.

“Research released on sodium and cardiovascular disease in today’s [August 14] New England Journal of Medicine adds to the national discussion of sodium's role in the American diet,” says Snack Food Association (SFA) CEO Tom Dempsey.

Workers at the J.R. Simplot Co. potato processing plant in Grand Forks have reached a contract agreement with the company after being on strike for almost three weeks.

Fresh Solutions Network has been named as a finalist for the 2014 PMA Impact Awards in Excellence in Packaging for their innovation and excellence in the Side Delights Gourmet Petite potato product line.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is pleased to announce Amy Burdett has joined its staff as Marketing Operations Director in the Denver office.

The Ulster Farmers Union has held a meeting with potato industry stakeholders to discuss the best way forward for the industry with potato packers, merchants and producers agreeing that a promotions and marketing campaign is needed to address the continual decline in potato consumption.

After less than a year of being on the menu, Burger King is getting rid of its lower-calorie french fries, called Satisfries, at most of its restaurants.

The J.R. Simplot plant in Aberdeen is still up and running, after it was scheduled to officially close its doors on July 31, but a delay in the start-up of the production in the new Caldwell plant has it rescheduled to close Sept. 2.

McDonald’s Corp. reported Friday its worst monthly same-store sales results in more than 10 years as it continues to be hammered by supplier woes in China and consumer malaise at home.

ConAgra Foods, Inc., announced today that Gary M. Rodkin, chief executive officer, has informed the ConAgra Foods Board of Directors of his intention to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year, May 2015

A Florida-based potato farmer who recently won an award for his sustainable irrigation methods firmly believes all farmers should adopt the system for the good of the planet.

After a day-long union meeting, employees of J.R. Simplot went on strike, picketing outside the potato processing plant in Grand Forks at about 6 p.m. Monday.