RPE-Colorado in full swing with 2013 potato harvest
RPE-Colorado in full swing with 2013 potato harvest
RPE-Colorado anticipates moving a quality crop of potatoes from the San Luis Valley this season. “The harvest of our local Colorado crop is underway currently, as well as our growing partners’ crops,” said Randy Shell, vice president of marketing and new business development. “We will be in full swing harvesting our potatoes around Sept. 9 and should wrap up harvest around the first week of October.”
The parent company, RPE Inc., is located in Bancroft, WI.
Shell said weather has not had a significant impact on this year’s crop. “But we did see some effects on size and yield from three weeks of diffused sunlight during the recent wildfires,” he told The Produce News. “We also had a very cool spring, which slowed the crop at the start, but it looks to be recovering nicely. We anticipate our crop to have very good quality overall.
“RPE-Colorado is anticipating good supplies this year, and we should have a fairly normal shipping season as long as Mother Nature cooperates through our harvest.”
Water availability continues to be a concern for potato producers in the San Luis Valley. “We have not seen large issues such as running out of water during the growing season,” Shell said. “But there has been word of some wells drying up. So water continues to be a concern for the future of this growing area. There needs be a good snow pack and some consistent moisture over the next few years to help minimize the water impact of agriculture. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature and, hopefully, we will see a positive moisture trend in the future.”
RPE-Colorado packs and ships potatoes under a variety of labels including the company’s “Old Oak Farms” and “Biggins” labels. Private label is also available at customer request.
“We sell to all sectors of the potato market including retail, foodservice, wholesale and processors,” Shell noted.
This season, the company has expanded its “Old Oak Farms” line with the introduction of three new signature varieties: Cherry Creek Reds, which have anti-greening properties and extended shelf life; Willow Creek Golds, a taste panel favorite; and Honeysuckle Golds, a Vales Sovereign variety, which is a gold potato with red blushes.