News
Immigration reform stalls but pesticide bill moves forward
The U.S. House of Representatives wrapped up two weeks of floor action without any results on immigration reform. The National Potato Council (NPC) said that despite great public attention and calls for reform across numerous industries, a compromis... more
Big Idaho Potato Truck 2.0 unveiled
The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) has revealed its new, 4-ton Big Idaho Potato 2.0. While the Truck is still 28 feet long and 11.5 feet high, it’s a little trimmer in the middle (10 feet wide), and two tons lighter than its predecessor. The IPC... more
Washington state inspectors look at H-2A
The Washington Potato Commission (WPC) is informing growers that, whether inspections are authorized under statute or stemming from interpretations of other agreements, safety inspectors do have the right to speak with farm employees. This comes a... more
Senate approves its version of farm bill
With a bipartisan vote of 86-11, the U.S. Senate June 28 passed its version of the farm bill. Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), representing over 120 specialty crop organizations across the United States, has released the following statemen... more
Masser Potato Farms welcomes new director of foodservice sales
Charles “Chip” Callahan is joining Masser Potato Farms as director of foodservice sales, effective immediately. He joins the Masser team with over 30 years of foodservice experience leading the sales and marketing of both fresh and frozen produc... more
Torac now allowed in eastern US
Torac insecticide from Nichino America has been granted a label expansion by the EPA allowing use in potatoes in states east of the Mississippi River. Previously restricted to states west of Mississippi River, this label now allows the product to be ... more
Fundraising effort starts for United Fresh Start Foundation
This week, the United Fresh Start Foundation launched a three-year fundraising campaign that aims to secure $5 million in commitments to support the foundation’s mission of increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables... more
U.S. red potatoes purchase program announced
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to purchase red potatoes for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, with the purpose to en... more
Tong launches US division
Tong Engineering will soon open a new Tong U.S. spares, service and sales facility based in Fremont, Michigan. This comes as part of the company’s wider export strategy and is designed to make the company’s complete range of equipment, from ve... more
Senate poised to follow House in passing Farm Bill
The House of Representatives narrowly passed their version of a new Farm Bill (H.R. 2) by a vote of 213-211. This was the second time that the bill came to the House floor, having failed in May due to conservative defections primarily related to i... more
