The Idaho Potato Commission's Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest will be twice as nice for 2016 with double the number of award levels, double the number of spud-friendly partner products and the largest amount of prize money ever.

Running for nine weeks from mid-January to mid-March 2016, the display contest is expected to attract a record-breaking 5,000-plus retailers competing for the new $2,000 top award, along with nine other award levels. Also new for this year, Country Crock Original buttery spread will join HORMEL Real Bacon Bits as partners in the IPC promotion, offering retailers even more options for getting potato lovers fired up during a traditionally slower time of year.

“By featuring Idaho potatoes enhanced by both Country Crock Original buttery spread and HORMEL Real Bacon Bits, retailers can cater to their shoppers’ taste buds and their need for fast, convenient ‘comfort food’ dishes that their families will love,” Jamie Bowen, IPC marketing manager, said in a press release. “Every year our retailers come up with incredibly imaginative ways to display Idaho potatoes for the contest, so this will give them more ingredients to add to the mix and help heat up winter potato sales.”

Retailers who create original in-store displays using IPC’s special point-of-sale materials will vie for increased cash awards in 2016, honoring the first through 10th place winners in three different store categories. Everyone who enters the contest will also receive a free Hamilton Beach Personal Cup one-cup pod brewer, compatible with coffee grounds, K-Cups and soft pods.

Each in-store display should incorporate clearly marked fresh Idaho potatoes (bag, bulk or both), Idaho dehydrated potato products, HORMEL Real Bacon Bits and Country Crock Original buttery spread — Country Crock® 45-ounce Original can be placed outside of refrigerated retail space for secondary placement and cross-merchandising promotions for 14 days. Displays should also feature the IPC 2016 contest point-of-sale materials: two double-sided Potato Lover’s Month logo display signs, one large and two small double-sided signs with appetizing photos, and two inflatable Mylar Spuddy Buddies. In addition, the IPC website offers clip art and recipes at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.

Retailers will compete with other same-size stores in one of three categories: one to five cash registers, six to nine cash registers, or 10-plus cash registers. Within each store category, entrants are eligible to win these prizes:

• First place: $2,000
• Second place: $1,500
• Third place: $1,000
• Fourth place: $800
• Fifth place: $700
• Sixth place: $600
• Seventh place: $500
• Eighth place: $400
• Ninth place: $300
• 10th place: $200
• Honorable Mention: $100 (100 selected from remaining entries)

In addition, the Category Manager Match Program will award equivalent cash prizes to category managers at stores that qualify for a first through 10th place prize.

For more information on how to enter the IPC Potato Lover’s Month 2016 Retail Display Contest, visit www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.