News

EarthFresh expands distribution of Butter Potatoes product line
EarthFresh has expanded its Butter Potatoes line across the U.S., with distribution of the new varieties also ramping up in Canada. The varieties — Butter Golds, Butter Reds and Butter Russets — are the product of more than a decade of researc... more

Michigan growers reminded to register by Jan. 1
Michigan potato growers are reminded to register with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) by Jan. 1. Under the Seed Potato Act, all farms growing potatoes in combined seed lots of one acre or more must notify MDARD... more
PepsiCo closing pair of Frito-Lay facilities in Florida
PepsiCo is closing two Frito-Lay facilities in Orlando, Florida, in moves that will affect 500 employees. According to Florida’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice website, the company terminated 454 employees at its... more
Comment on Michigan specialty crop funding priorities now being accepted
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will accept public comment on funding priorities for Michigan's 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program until Nov. 28. Input will be considered when developing final program prio... more

Harvest Bowl program to celebrate NDSU agriculture, education
The 51st annual Harvest Bowl program, to be held Nov. 14-15 at North Dakota State University, will include a dinner and awards program, educational sessions and the Harvest Bowl football clash between NDSU and Northern Iowa. The dinner and awards ... more

Mexican potato growers strike to protest US competition
This past week, Mexican potato growers engaged in a national strike against competition from the U.S., demanding that their government block imports. Growers called for an immediate end to the legal importation of fresh potatoes from the U.S. as p... more

Labor Department to resume processing of H-2A applications
The U.S. Department of Labor will resume processing H-2A and H-2B applications, activity designated essential during the government shutdown. The National Potato Council (NPC) and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) were among agric... more

NPC disappointed that US/Japan deal does not address fresh market access
The National Potato Council (NPC) has expressed disappointment that a trade deal between Japan and the U.S. signed Oct. 28 did not include fresh market access for U.S. potatoes. The U.S. has sought full market access to the Japanese market for dec... more

Report: Up to $12 billion in aid for US farmers could be available
Up to $12 billion in aid for farmers hurt by the Trump administration’s tariff policies will be available once the government shutdown ends, according to a Politico report. The report cited three sources familiar with the issue. Sen. John Hoe... more

Michigan harvest nears completion; 2026 contract negotiations begin
Michigan’s potato harvest is around 90% complete, with quality and recovery rates close to average for the state’s chipping crop. Open market potatoes are selling slightly below contract prices, according to a report compiled by North American... more














