Big Idaho Potato Truck kicks off sixth tour

The Big Idaho Potato Truck is back on America’s highways promoting the Idaho potato. In six months, the truck will log 23,000 miles and stop in more than 60 cities both large and small. The truck’s popular “A Big Helping” charitable program will continue to support local non-profits across the country.

“When we launched the truck six years ago, it was intended to be a one year campaign,” said Frank Muir, president and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “We placed several other graphics on the truck to communicate important key messages such as the Idaho potato’s certification by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy food; the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl logo, the premier cold-weather college football bowl game; Spuddy Buddy, the Idaho potato mascot; and important nutrition facts.”

The truck’s first national appearance is the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia. Other stops throughout the summer include the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC., the Potato Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the NASCAR Pocono Raceway Cup Series. To view the entire calendar visit www.bigidahopotato.com.

The Big Idaho potato weighs more than 6 tons (the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho potatoes). The most frequently asked question is still, “Is it real?”  The Idaho Potato Commission said it will never tell … but if it is, the Big Idaho Potato:

• Would make 30,325 servings of mashed potatoes
• Could make more than 1.4 million (1,455,570) French fries
• Would weigh 1,102 times more than the largest potato ever grown, which clocked in at 11 pounds

To date, the truck has visited 48 states (all but Hawaii and Alaska), traveled through 5,000+ towns/cities and traveled more than 100,000 miles since its 2012 launch celebrating the 75th anniversary of the IPC. The Big Idaho Potato Truck was built by Chris and Sharolyn Schofield of Weiser, Idaho, with the help of a few specialized contractors. The truck took a full year to design and build.