Potatoes USA takes foodservice recipes on the road

On November 7, representatives from Potatoes USA met with the school district of LaCrosse, Wisconsin to test school foodservice recipes with the K-12 experts themselves. The first-of-its-kind testing and learning event featured activities including recipe testing, student and parent focus groups and marketing materials reviews. 

The Hamilton Early Learning Center tested five of Potatoes USA’s recipes: breakfast totchos to-go, warm baked red potato salad, mashed potato and chicken “samosa” flatbread, Cuban mojo ham and potato salad and a game day-themed salad bar schematic.

After students and parents had a sample of each recipe, they were asked to rate it on a “yum scale,” ranging from “love it” to “it’s okay” to “no thanks.” The crowd favorite; breakfast totchos to-go. In addition, Potatoes USA staffers dove deeper into students’ attitudes about potatoes with an open discussion while parents filled out a survey about their own experience with potatoes.

In its two and half years of existence, the Potatoes USA School Foodservice Program has produced more than 10 marketing materials, specifically designed for operators. The Potatoes USA team reviewed each piece with the LaCrosse foodservice staff, gaining feedback for future improvement.

This first roadshow stop was one of the most beneficial activities the program has completed to date, said Potatoes USA. The feedback directly from the students, kitchen staff and parents will be used to shape the program’s future. The team has its second road show scheduled for spring 2018.