Dec 12, 2024National Chip Program trials serve as proving ground for processing potatoes
Chipping potatoes went on trial this month in Chicago.
The annual National Chip Program trials invited nearly 100 industry professionals to review hundreds of new chipping potato possibilities. The partnership between Potatoes USA and commercial growers, breeders and processors began in 2008 in response to requests for a formal process to test and identify new varieties.
“What I’m hoping for in Chicago is dialogue and collective wisdom,” John Lundeen, Potatoes USA research director, said in a news release. “This is the process of the industry coming together to improve supply and quality. We stare at data, listen to people and discuss what the industry is doing to be ready and adapt to new challenges like more problematic diseases and changing consumer needs.”
Evaluators look for traits including disease resistance and high yield, along with appealing size, shape and texture. Regional factors are also taken into consideration. For example, potatoes planted in northern states such as Michigan must be able to store well after November harvest. In southeastern states, spuds need a thick canopy of leaves to resist heat and humidity.
Another important attribute is high specific gravity, or a potato that produces a profitable, attractive chip.
The chipping candidates go through several rounds of trials, with the most promising advancing to additional rounds each year. In some cases, uncovered flaws can be addressed by growers in the field.
The trials continue until the potatoes are either eliminated or successfully grown in a commercial environment, then processed into chips with consistent quality and appearance. The trial graduates are then ready to be tested in a real-world commercial environment.
“Just like there’s only a tiny percentage of athletes who will compete in soccer at the highest level, there are only a few potato varieties that will meet all the specifications to have the best of best, quality of potato chips,” Lundeen said.
This year’s trials took place Dec. 9-10.
