All-yellow flesh potatoes continue to rise above russets, reds and whites in the critical metric of retailer volume sales, an encouraging sign for grocers as growers ready for their upcoming fall harvests.

In the last 52 weeks ending June 13, retailer volume sales of all-yellow flesh potatoes are up 9.56 percent, far outpacing reds (up 0.82 percent), russets (down 3.91 percent) and whites (down 8.42 percent) according to the research firm IRI.

Side Delights is offering summer solutions for shoppers to help keep kitchens cool and recipes fresh.

Since the summer season began, recent headlines have focused on the record-breaking heat. On Aug. 1, the Weather Service predicted that most of the U.S. would likely continue to see above-average temperatures for the rest of the summer. 

Wisconsin red potato harvest is under way at Alsum Farms in Grand Marsh, WI, with the first potato loads being washed, graded and packed for fresh market delivery to distribution centers and retail grocers the first full week of August.

“We are having ideal weather for the first harvest of red potatoes this summer at Alsum Farms,” said Larry Alsum, president and CEO of Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland, WI.

The northwestern states of Idaho, Washington and Oregon, which are the first- second- and ninth-largest potato growing states in the U.S., respectively, account for more than half of the potatoes grown in the country.

The Idaho Grower Shipper Association, which was formed in 1928 to serve growers, shippers, marketers and processors of Idaho potatoes, will hold its 93rd annual convention in Sun Valley, ID, Sept. 1-3.

Pulling out all the stops to showcase their favorite spuds, retailers nationwide fought hard for the highest honors in the Idaho Potato Commission’s 30th annual Idaho Potato Lovers Display Contest. More than $150,000 in cash and prizes were awarded in the 2021 competition, along with the sweepstakes prize: a trip for two to luxurious Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ.