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| 6/1/2011 | ||
Visit our Newsletter Archives for the archived version of this issue and all USPB E-Newsletters |
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| Seed/International | EXPORTING? INTERESTED IN EXPORTING? MARK YOUR CALENDARS! | |
| USPB PROMOTES POTATO PRODUCTION IN AFRICA | ||
| USPB CONDUCTS URUGUAY MARKET VISIT | ||
| Dehy/Food Aid/International | FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN’S MANNAPACK™ POTATO PRODUCTS SEEING INCREASED DEMAND!! | |
| “GIVE THE WORLD ITS FIRST AND ONLY FOOD TO STOP A LEADING KILLER” | ||
| Dehy/Foodservice/International | US MASHED POTATOES FRONT AND CENTER IN ASIA | |
| AU BON PAIN THAILAND CONTINUES TO LAUNCH PRODUCTS MADE WITH A SECRET INGREDIENT, US DEHY! | ||
| Chip-Stock/Domestic | CO95051-7W PROCESS REPORT | |
| FY 2012 NCPT PROGRAM NOW HAS 11 SUPPORTING PROCESSORS | ||
| Consumer Nutrition Advertising/Domestic | “MANY SIDES OF POTATOES” CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO OUTPERFORM “PEEL BACK THE TRUTH” CAMPAIGN | |
| Industry Communications | ON THE RADIO, ON THE INTERNET: THE “US POTATO UPDATE”!! | |
| Industry Partnerships | SYNGENTA MANNA PACK POTATO-W EVENT: FOOD DISTRIBUTION REPORT |
For Email Newsletters you can trust
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EXPORTING? INTERESTED IN EXPORTING? MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 2011 International Seed Symposium This is an opportunity for US seed growers to meet foreign importers and growers in Denver, CO for a day of information exchange and relationship building. Purpose:
How: Who May Participate? Registration Deadline: Costs Covered: Contact: 2011 Seed Symposium Announcement Registration Form
USPB PROMOTES POTATO PRODUCTION IN AFRICA Variety trials are a key component of determining the best US seed potato varieties for the different growing conditions in Africa. Six US seed potato varieties (Algeria, Cal White, Elfe, Granola, Red LaSoda and Sifra) were sent to Burkina Faso in September 2010 for planting in 82 production sites throughout the country. Potato plots were harvested in the North and Central West in December 2010 and January 2011. Five out of six varieties had yields above 25 tons per hectare, which is superior to the national average. All varieties grown in the West were harvested in late January 2011, and had marketable yields greater than 30 tons per hectare. Upon evaluation producers preferred Cal White, followed by Sifra, because of their productivity and the size of the tubers. These two varieties have great production potential and could contribute to improved economic conditions for producers. According to consumer taste tests, Elfe, Alegria and Red La Soda were preferred. The USPB will continue to work with Africare and producers in Burkina Faso to determine which US seed varieties have the greatest potential in this market.
USPB CONDUCTS URUGUAY MARKET VISIT Saul Mercado, USPB seed consultant, along with two US growers, recently visited Uruguay to see fields where US potatoes are being grown, meet with local seed importers and producers throughout the country, visit the restaurant association and meet with APHIS and FAS. During visits to growers, the US group not only saw fields, but also visited potato sheds where potatoes are washed, sorted and packed. Uruguayan growers were harvesting commercial potatoes grown from US seed and were very pleased with their potato yield, quality, size and color. The group also had an opportunity to meet with the president of the Restaurant Association and the Mayor of Punta del Este and discussed the need for more potato varieties in the Uruguayan market. Chefs are looking for quality and diversity and are highly interested in fingerling varieties. US seed potatoes are allowed to enter the market; however, low tolerances on powdery scab currently limit US exports to the market. During meetings with FAS and APHIS the group discussed these issues to increase opportunities for US exporters to send US seed potatoes to Uruguay. There is a tremendous opportunity for US seed to grow in this market. Uruguay has been importing US seed for seven years with steadily increasing sales. Uruguay plants roughly 22,230 acres of potatoes per year and consumes about 48 kg per person per year. They have a need for about 15,000 to 18,000 MT of seed per year. Roughly 3,000 MT are imported and the rest is “National” seed. In 2009/2010 the US exported about 725 MT of seed. The US’ largest competitors for seed potato market share are Canada, Benelux and Chile. Because of a short seed supply, local growers have produced more of their own seed, however, they will continue demanding and buying high quality imported seed potatoes.
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN’S MANNAPACK™ POTATO PRODUCTS SEEING INCREASED DEMAND!! “TK” Kuwahara, USPB Dehy International Marketing Manager, recently received the following correspondence from USPB Food Aid partner, Christine Papai of Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) on the increasing demand for both the MannaPackTM Potato-D and MannaPackTM Potato-W feeding formulations. Hello TK, I have just received the copies of the Dehy Quarterly—thanks! I’ll share them with the office. You will probably be interested in seeing FMSC’s next direct mail appeal, hitting homes next week. It features both of FMSC’s potato products (Editor’s Note: See following story). You would also probably appreciate hearing that a potato-focused “Orientation Video” is in the works. This short video will be shown to volunteers who package MannaPackTM Potato-D or MannaPackTM Potato-W. In other news, MannaPackTM Potato-D is resuming production in Chanhassen, MN, and MannaPackTM Potato-W is moving to Coon Rapids. This means we had to run potato at two permanent FMSC sites to meet demands. The product will be packaged 1-2 weeks per month at each facility. Hope you’re well! Christine Papai, Food Quality Manager
“GIVE THE WORLD ITS FIRST AND ONLY FOOD TO STOP A LEADING KILLER” “Give the world its first and only food to stop a leading killer”. That is the title of FMSC’s new direct mailing introducing MannaPack™ Potato-D and MannaPack™ Potato-W products and scheduled to reach households the week of May 23rd. (See attachment following this story) FMSC produces three products for use by their partners. The first is a rice-based formula (MannaPack™ Rice) that provides a nutritious meal for the whole family. The second product, MannaPack™ Potato-D is potato-based and was created specifically for the mitigation of diarrhea, one of the leading killers of children in the world. The third, and newest product, is a weaning food based on dehydrated potatoes: MannaPack™ Potato -W. After a successful clinical trial and outstanding reports from the field, FMSC is now ready to take these products to their partners worldwide. You can help children around the world by supporting these newly developed potato products and getting them into more hands!
In the current fiscal year, (July 1, 2010 to present), 296,000 lbs of dehy (19,240 cwt fresh weight equivalent), has been purchased. With the new launch of these potato-based formulas and national direct mailing being sent, we look forward to this number being increased in the near future! FMSC MannaPack Potato Direct Mailing Piece.pdf
Dehy/Foodservice/International US MASHED POTATOES FRONT AND CENTER IN ASIA US mashed potatoes, made from US dehydrated potatoes, were front and center recently at seminars in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as the Food & Hotel tradeshow in Korea. Cost savings, versatility, quality and consistency were among the messages provided to the local trade comprising importer/distributors, restaurant owners, food manufacturers and chefs. At each event, participants were able to sample various dishes made from mashed potatoes. Menu samples included items such as Prik-king Curry Croquette US Mashed Potato, Mashed Potato Salad and Mashed Potato Brochette.
At the Food & Hotel Korea trade show, guests enjoyed learning new concepts from the mashed potato display showcasing items such as Mashed Potato Martinis, Sundaes, Hamburger Toppers, soup and Seminars and trade shows are key activities to provide education and training about US dehydrated potatoes, as outlined in the USPB long range plan. Much work has been done to educate the foreign trade in target markets about US dehy and its various products, and the USPB continues those efforts. There is high turnover in food manufacturing and food service, so new employees continually need to receive the USPB’s basic education.
Dehy/Foodservice/International AU BON PAIN THAILAND CONTINUES TO LAUNCH PRODUCTS MADE WITH A SECRET INGREDIENT, US DEHY! Au Bon Pain Thailand launched another new promotional menu item, Barbecue Chicken Sandwich, from March 15th to April 30th, 2011. The sandwich bun was developed using standard potato flakes to make the bun soft and easy to eat. The promotional menu at Au Bon Pain changes every month and a half to excite its regular customers and to offer them a variety of new choices.
In November, Au Bon Pain Thailand launched “Holiday Treats”, featuring products made soft with US dehy.
CO95051-7W PROCESS REPORT One load of CO95051-7W was received and processed by Kettle Foods, Inc., May 13, 2011. The load was shipped from Thaemert Farms in Washington, and the information contained in this document was provided by Kettle Foods, Inc. A special thanks to Thaemert Farms and Kettle Foods, Inc. for their continuing tremendous support of the USPB’s National Chip Processing Trials (NCPT). This report is abbreviated as the load was shipped and processed without special consideration for gathering data or observations. FINISHED PRODUCT INFORMATION: Size was consistent with the loads shipped to Shearers in Oregon with 7% under 1 7/8”, there was no oversize. The variety seems to set sufficient amount of tubers and has a good vine, spacing and understanding the agronomic requirements of the variety should help improve the size profile. COMMENTS:
FY 2012 NCPT PROGRAM NOW HAS 11 SUPPORTING PROCESSORS FOR Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12), the USPB is pleased to announce there are now 11 processors supporting the NCPT program. Ten of the processors return from last year and one new company has joined effective FY12. The combined volume of these 11 NCPT supporting processors represent 50% of all regional chip volume. The NCPT program takes a longer-term strategic view of the US chipping potato industry and all the cooperating processors have shown tremendous support towards this program.
Consumer Nutrition Advertising/Domestic “MANY SIDES OF POTATOES” CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO OUTPERFORM “PEEL BACK THE TRUTH” CAMPAIGN Attached following this story is the final FY11 Ad Testing Analysis. The purpose of this report is to provide valuable insights and implications about USPB ad effectiveness that guide future positioning requirements and ad rotation decisions. Key Takeaways: The “Many Sides of Potatoes” campaign is outperforming the “Peel Back the Truth” campaign on both “Total Recall” and “Actions Taken” ad testing measurement averages. These two measures tell us the USPB print campaign is breaking through the clutter in the magazines – it is standing out, and it is resonating with consumers and driving them to take action (purchase potatoes). The “Many Sides of Potatoes” campaign is performing very well on key Vista measures:
Overall, all ads tested outscored the issue average for total recall and actions taken:
Both the Salad and Baked Fries executions continue to exceed issue averages, particularly in the lifestyle category. Food related positioning delivers high actions taken results:
In FY12, the USPB will continue to test (all three executions which will include the “potato smashers” recipe) to monitor total recall and acctions taken results scores against the issue average. The full reports for the purchased Vista Reports can be found here: http://digitalbucket.net/download/02b2107891e452f3/FY11_FullReports.zip We purchased reports for Parents (March 2011), Family Circle (March 2011) and Woman’s Day (April 17, 2011). The additional reports for FY11 were received as part of added value. If you have any questions about this consumer print advertising research, or any of the other USPB consumer advertising work, please contact USPB Domestic Marketing Vice President Kathleen Triou at 303-873-2312 (direct) / 303-369-7783 (main) / 720-225-0931 (efax) or ktriou@uspotatoes.com.
ON THE RADIO, ON THE INTERNET: THE “US POTATO UPDATE”!! No matter where you live in the US, you can always hear the “US Potato Update” simply by visiting the “US Potato Update” Archives… 5.25.11—Image Gallery Ready for Prime Time.mp3
SYNGENTA MANNA PACK POTATO-W EVENT: FOOD DISTRIBUTION REPORT On March 18-19, in celebration of National Ag Week, more than 500 Syngenta employees, their families and friends, and FFA students gathered at Syngenta headquarters in Greensboro, NC to pack servings of Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MannaPack™ Potato-W meals. Over the course of the two-day period, volunteers worked for 12 hours to make over 178,000 servings of the potato-based formula (April 6, 2011 Industry Update). The USPB was proud to assist Syngenta with this event that will bring the life-saving nutrition of potatoes to thousands of children around the world and salutes Syngenta for their commitment to the US potato industry. Following is an e-mail Mary DeMers, Syngenta Senior Communications Manager, recently received from Andrew Ulasich, MobilePack Supervisor, Feed My Starving Children regarding the final distribution of those life-giving meals: Mary, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to let you know that all of the meals packed at your event have left the FMSC warehouse and are heading to their destination. Here is a breakdown of where the MannaPack Potato-W meals are going: 7,776 servings to Haiti through Northwest Haiti Christian Mission For a number of our larger partners, like Cross International, we send the finished product to their warehouse, and they send it to a number of different countries. I inquired as to where specifically Cross International will be sending the meals, and this was their response:
Also, FMSC’s Food Relief Coordinator, Abby Theobald, added this:
Please share this with Syngenta and your community as you see fit. Thanks again for your partnership and for a great event! Peace, Andrew Ulasich, MobilePack Supervisor “For I was hungry and you gave me food.”—Matthew 25:35
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During FY 2011 the USPB received funding to promote the development of potato cultivation in Sub-Saharan Africa using US seed potatoes. Since September 2010, the USPB has been working with the private voluntary organization Africare to introduce US seed potato varieties to growers in Burkina Faso. The objectives of the project are to demonstrate the effectiveness of US seed potatoes in sub-Saharan Africa and to develop a potato production, storage and marketing program that can be utilized throughout the continent. 
The USPB provided one-on-one technical assistance to Au Bon Pain Thailand when the first product, the whole wheat sandwich bagel, was developed and supported through a tie-in promotion. Providing education and training about US dehydrated potatoes, where needed and appropriate, is one of the key strategies for the international dehy program under the USPB long range plan.