Colorado russet quality excellent, says RPE’s Tonso
Colorado russet quality excellent, says RPE’s Tonso
Potatoes are shipping from facilities across the country, and the russets grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley are “one of the better quality crops out of the continental U.S.,” according to David Tonso, manager of the RPE facility located near Monte Vista.
“Quality is excellent,” Tonso told The Produce News on Nov. 14. “The potatoes are just as good as last year with a better size profile.”
Adding to the enthusiasm for 2014’s season is the fact that “demand is crazy” in the run-up to the holidays, he said.
“With our sheds in all growing areas, we hit the entire country,” Tonso said of RPE’s coverage. “We are also getting into all markets for foodservice and retail.”
A longtime Colorado shipper, Tonso works with several other veteran potato sales agents along with two customer service reps and transportation specialists. The shed offers all consumer packs, cartons and bulk packing for both domestic and export. The team sells for Hi-Land Potato Co., Metz Potato Co. and The Spud Seller, and in addition to shipping to the Southeast and to export buyers, the Colorado shed sees good movement of its russets, reds and yellows in local and regional markets.