The Idaho Potato Commission was informed that the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has approved up to $50 million for the surplus commodity purchase of fresh and dehydrated potatoes. This is welcome news as Idaho continues to ship a high volume of potatoes in preparation for the 2024 crop.
The IPC stated, “We would like to thank Secretary Vilsack and his staff at USDA-AMS for their responsiveness to this infrequent request from the potato industry. In addition, we appreciate Mark Klompien with United Potato Growers of America; Kam Quarles and Dean Gibson of National Potato Council; the Russell Group; and the IPC staff for their efforts in submitting the request to USDA.”
USDA-AMS should release their public solicitations in the next few days, including product purchase specifications. IPC will share that information as soon as it becomes available.