As produce managers stretch their limited staffs to stay on top of restocking high-velocity items, MountainKing is stepping up with a merchandising solution aimed at minimizing restocking time while stimulating impulse purchases of its fresh potatoes.

One of the nation’s largest suppliers of fresh potatoes, MountainKing is offering retailers large, half-pallet bins with 12.5 cubic feet of space ideal for the grower’s 1.5-pound and five-pound packages.

Total potato sales at retail were at five-year record highs for both dollar and volume sales in 2020, according to IRI. Dollar sales increased by 16 percent compared to 2019 and all categories, except deli-prepared sides, grew by double-digit dollar sales. The largest growth in dollar and volume sales for potatoes occurred from April through June, although all months grew by over 9 percent for both metrics.

February is Potato Lover's Month, and Arrowfarms companies Morning Kiss Organic and Gold Bell are celebrating by introducing new, fully compostable paper bag potato packaging. Among the most popular items in the produce department, potatoes have a high rate of consumption across all demographics. Now, with fully compostable packaging, there are even more reasons to love potatoes.

Wada Farms Marketing Group, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, is a major supplier of potatoes from both Idaho and Colorado. In its Colorado operation, the company appears well positioned to meet customers’ anticipated needs for Colorado potatoes through the beginning of the 2021 harvest.

“We have a good supply,” said Michele Peterson, head of the Colorado sales office in Monte Vista for Wada Farms. “We estimate it is going to take us through to the beginning of the new crop with good quality and good size profile.”

Just as quick-service restaurants use enticing menu board images to drive sales of combo meals, double-meat burgers, jumbo-sized slushies and other selections, retail grocers are relying on the same concept to capture the attention of shoppers seeking a suitable side dish for their next prepared, at-home meal.

Idaho potatoes will be scoring extra points with consumers around the world, thanks to a new promotional program featuring sports stars who are well known in Asia and Latin America.