Potato Bytes 09.27.2022
News from the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association
Serving the potato industry in
North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota.
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Happy 90th Birthday Neil!
NPPGA would like to recognize one of the pillars in our potato community, Cornelis (Neil) Jonk who just celebrated his 90th birthday!
Neil's father Johannes Jonk began the family's potato business by growing seed potatoes in 1922 in Volgerwer 42 Mbeemster, Holland. Neil and his wife Corrie moved from Holland to Park River, North Dakota in 1961 to continue the family tradition of growing seed potatoes.
Neil and Corrie Jonk had six children. They all grew up walking seed potatoes for their father and helping with the farm.
Daughters Maria and Corrie both obtained their degrees from NDSU. Corrie worked closely with Dr. Gary Secor in his pathology labs and greenhouses. After graduation, both continued the tradition of providing seed for the potato industry.
In 2000, Maria Jonk-Carter and her husband, Adam, took the reins at Jonk Seed Farm in Park River North Dakota.
In 2002 Corrie Jonk-Enander and her husband, Tom, start Enander Seed Farm in Grenora, North Dakota. They grow over 100 varieties of Field 1 and Field 2 material for the potato industry.
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North Dakota Potato Harvest Reaches Halfway Point
USDA Potato Progress & Condition Report for Week Ending: 9/25/2022
NORTH DAKOTA - Potato condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 28% fair, 55% good, and 16% excellent. Potatoes vines dry was 80%, behind 89% last year and 92% average. Harvested was 49%, near 45% last year, and ahead of 44% average.
MINNESOTA - Potato harvest was 65% complete compared to 56% last year and 59% average.
USDA Crop Progress & Condition Report for all crops: ND - MN
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Retail Consumers Spent More on Potatoes
From Potatoes USA
Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales but decreased in volume sales from July 2021 - June 2022, compared to the same timeframe a year ago. As consumer prices increased by 10.5%, retail dollar sales increased by 5.7%. The total volume sales decreased 4.4% from the same time a year ago, but they remained above volume sales prior to the pandemic. Dollar sales have continuously increased over the last five years. Volume sales have ranged between 6.7 to 7 billion pounds of potatoes sold at retail.
All retail potato categories increased in dollar sales and declined in volume sales. Although, all categories, except for deli-prepared sides, have a higher volume than before the pandemic.
Frozen potato sales account for 15% of potato sales and 18% of potato volume across the store. Frozen potatoes increased 2.8% in dollars and decreased 4.3% in volume. Straight-cut frozen fries make up the largest volume share of the frozen potato category, as seen in the chart below.
Fresh potato sales increased by 3% in dollars but fell by 5.6% in volume. The price per pound for fresh potatoes increased by 9.1%, but the average cost is still under $1. Most fresh potato types increased in dollar sales but declined in volume sales, except for one type: yellow potatoes. Yellow potatoes increased by 12% in dollars and by 4.6% in volume sales. However, russet potatoes remain the top volume share among all fresh potato types at 59%. Fresh potato sales account for 23% of retail store sales and 28% of volume sold.
When looking at fresh package types, micro/steamer and tray potatoes are the only two categories that increased in dollar and volume sales. Micro/steamer potatoes increased by 4.5% in dollars and by 2.6% in volume, while tray potatoes increased by 8.4% in dollars and by 1% in volume sales. The only category to increase in dollar and volume sales for pack sizes was one to under two pounds, which grew by 9.2% in dollars and 2.4% in volume. All pack sizes eight pounds or greater saw the most significant volume sales decline but also had the largest price increases.
IRI compiles these figures. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports or the consequences of any actions taken based on any information contained herein. Please reach out to Media@PotatoesUSA.com with any questions.
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USDA Seeks Input on New Grant Program to Strengthen Food Supply Chain, Reduce Irregular Migration, and Improve Labor Protections for Farmworkers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is gathering input to help shape a recently announced planned grant program focused on improving the resiliency of our food and agricultural supply chain by addressing labor shortages in agriculture, reducing irregular migration through increased use of legal pathways, and improving labor protections for farmworkers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will hold three virtual listening sessions on Sept. 28-29 for the new farm labor stabilization and protection pilot grant program, which the Biden-Harris administration announced earlier this year as part of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection.
The grant program will use up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide support for agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards to promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program.
More on the Grant Program
The program will aim to improve the resiliency of our food and agricultural supply chain and advance several major Administration priorities:
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Driving U.S. economic recovery and safeguarding domestic food security by addressing current labor shortages in agriculture. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural employers were struggling to secure a stable workforce. The pandemic has only exacerbated this problem, threatening our domestic capacity to produce a safe and robust food supply. This pilot program will help address this shortage by expanding the potential pool of workers.
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Reducing irregular migration through the increased use of legal pathways. The Biden-Harris administration has taken numerous steps to address the elevated levels of irregular migration from Northern Central America. The H-2A visa program offers a lawful pathway for individuals from these countries to come to the United States to engage in temporary or seasonal agricultural work. An effective H-2A visa program is critical to the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain. This pilot program will aim to address challenges that both workers and employers face in utilizing the program.
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Improving working conditions for farmworkers. Strong and safe working conditions are critical to the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain. Through this pilot program, USDA will support efforts to improve working conditions for both U.S. and H-2A workers and ensure that H-2A workers are not subjected to unfair recruitment practices.
Agricultural Employer Organizations
FSA will hold a listening session for agricultural employer organizations on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. ET. FSA seeks input on:
- Challenges that employers face in securing a stable workforce.
- The set of incentives employers seek from USDA in order to improve their ability to hire workers from northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program.
- The labor standards that will make meaningful progress towards ensuring a safer and fairer working environment for both domestic and H-2A farmworkers.
Labor Unions and Farmworker Advocacy Community
FSA will hold a listening session for labor unions on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. ET, and one for the broader farmworker advocacy community on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. ET. From both groups, FSA seeks input on:
- Barriers or challenges faced by farmworkers, specifically those from northern Central American countries participating in the H-2A visa program.
- Recommendations to enhance farmworker protections and to increase farmworker awareness of resources and worker rights.
How to Attend
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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Registration Now Open for 2023 Potato Expo in Colorado
Potato Expo is where the entire potato supply chain comes together
As always, the Expo Hall will be the center of activity at the Potato Expo 2023. Check out just some of what's happening in the Hall!
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Over 150 exhibitors offering solutions and showcasing cutting edge technology, innovations and services.
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Meet-up Lounges throughout the Hall offering convenient and comfortable spaces for planned meetings or pop-up conversations.
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Potato Talks on the Expo Stage showcasing new advancements in production agriculture, uncovering on-farm solutions, focusing on current trends, or igniting inspirations.
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Happy Hour, Lunches and Receptions reconnecting members of the industry.
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Coffee Bars for recharging yourself and your devices.
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Instant Pot-ato Challenge where potato growers will transform potatoes into delicious and creative dishes using Instant Pots.
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This Spuds for You - Celebrity Chef Edition: Stay tuned for more details!
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Poster Session showcasing the latest developments in potato research.
And, countless opportunities for spontaneous run-ins and networking.
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News from the National Potato Council
September 23, 2022
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Potato Bytes Landmark Trivia |
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Last Week's Famous Landmark
Last week's Trivia Landmark was Mount Everest. Located in Asia's Himalaya Mountain Range on the China–Nepal border, its peak is the highest point above sea level on the Earth at 29,032 feet. It has been successfully climbed over 4,000 times but over 300 climbers have perished attempting it.
It was identified correctly by Keith Bjorneby, Todd Forbush, Vicky Boyd, David MacSwain, Nick Sinner and Chris Holmes.
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Name this Week's
Famous Landmark
Send your answer in by clicking on the red tab below.
All those answering correctly will be recognized in the next Potato Bytes
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Mashed Potatoes with Brown Butter Crunchies
Creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes underneath a crunchy spiced topping, finished with fresh chopped parsley.
Cuisine: American
Potato Type: Yellow or Russet
Get one delicious, potato recipe delivered to you each week. You’ll always have new, tasty ideas to surprise and delight your family and friends—even on a busy weeknight. Sign up
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Coming Events @ a Glance
October 27 - 29
Orlando, FL
January 4 - 5
February 21
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NPPGA Research Reporting Conference - Alerus Center, Grand Forks
- NPPGA Annual Meeting - Alerus Center, Grand Forks
- NPPGA MSA and Chairman's Banquet - Alerus Center, Grand Forks
February 22-23
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