A story recently  ran in several publications and on an Idaho local TV station indicating a potato contained the equivalent of 1 cup of sugar. The truth is, there is less than a quarter of a teaspoon of sugar in a medium potato. The claim as reported is not only wildly inaccurate, misleading and irresponsible, but because a cup of sugar contains 774 calories and a medium sized potato contains only 110 calories the claim is also a mathematical impossibility.

In fact, potatoes are quite nutrient dense. A medium potato with skin contains 45 percent of the daily value for vitamin C; as much or more potassium (620 mg) than a banana, spinach or broccoli; 10 percent of the daily value of B6; and even trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.

Here are the technical details behind the correct information about how much sugar is in a potato: A medium (5.3 oz) potato contains 110 calories, 26 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of protein and 0 grams of fat.  The predominant form of carbohydrate in potatoes is starch (a complex carbohydrate).  In fact, simple sugars (i.e., disaccharides and monosaccharides) comprise only .25-3% of the dry matter in potatoes (and thus, the calorie content).  Therefore, simple sugars account for 2.75-3.3 calories of a medium potato (110 multiplied by .025 and .03), which is only about 1/5 of a teaspoon (16 calories per teaspoon of sugar).

Make sure you know the truth.

THE PACKER:  Organic Potato Production has Room to Grow

THE PACKER:  Idaho Potato Growers Brace for More Change

Come visit Category Partners at PMA! We hope to see everyone at the Wada Farms, Booth 4471 and Farm Fresh Direct, Booth 1891.

We came up with a campaign that focused on the most unique part of the product which was the bag and the cooking process. The Perfect Dinner Accessory and Bag the Swag programs were developed to pilot in a small test area with a prominent Southeastern grocery retailer. A Point-of-Sale display was created to attract the demographic that was established by the conducted research through Category Partners. Along with the display a consumer sweepstakes was developed for added incentive…Bag the Swag! The sweepstakes was the offer of the chance to win a designer handbag or a gift card from the participating retailer.

The secondary displays were so eye-catching in the produce departments and the sweepstakes netted 3500 entries out of this small pilot area! Out of the 10 winners, 7 selected the retailer gift cards which helped promote the sponsoring grocery chain, of which they were thrilled, and 3 winners selected the designer handbags!

It was so successful for both Wada Farms and for the retailer, that we are continuing on with these secondary displays and are extending them into 4 additional regions! The marketing success was in the bag…pun intended!

Farm Fresh Direct product, PotatoH! recently got some airtime!

We know that he will be out there doing a great job for us and for you!

Please contact him at brentm@categorypartners.com or  719.588.8134