Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Potandon Produce introduced its low-carbohydrate CarbSmart potato at Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit show in October, said Ralph Schwartz, vice president of sales.
The new item is part of Potandon’s promotional focus on potatoes as healthy items, Schwartz said.
“It’s the first of many that will come out that have additional health benefits,” he said of CarbSmart.
The first shipments of CarbSmart were scheduled to go out Nov. 20, Schwartz said.
“Too late for Thanksgiving, but it will be available for Christmas and the New Year’s market, which is actually more important,” he said.
CarbSmart is a yellow-flesh, yellow-skin potato, available in a 5-pound bag under the Green Giant Fresh brand, Schwartz said.
The product has 55% fewer carbohydrates than rice or pasta, Schwartz said.
“It’s marketed that way (against other starchy foods) because competing against other potatoes isn’t going to be a long-term win,” he said.
“When you look at this potato, it has 7 grams less carbs per serving than a regular yellow potato. We’ve been testing it for years. It’s exciting.”