Idaho Potato Commission

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a marketing board that represents the potato growers of the U.S. state of Idaho. The group's main initiative is Grown in Idaho — a collective trade mark program for marketing Idaho-grown potatoes, products containing them,[1] and accompanying advertising campaigns.

The IPC owns the trademark "Idaho" in the United States in connection to any potato-based product.[2][3]

History

The Idaho Potato Commission was established in 1937 as the Idaho Fruit and Vegetable Advertising Commission, primarily responsible to promote the potatoes, onions, apples and prunes produced in Idaho. Maine was the biggest potato producer of the country back then. In its first year of operations, the Commission spent a little over $20,000 in advertising, and $58,000 the year after.

The commission introduced the "Grown in Idaho" seal in 1959 to help elevate the visibility of Idaho potatoes.[4] In 1939, the Commission removed apples and prunes from its campaigns, and changed its name to Idaho Advertising Commission[5]

In the 1950s, the Commission was facing multiple cases of violations of the Grown in Idaho label. The Commission tested a system to stamp all potatoes for 20 years, to no avail. The "Packed in Idaho by" label was created in 1959.[5]

In the early 1990s, the Commission started talks with toy company Hasbro to use Mr. Potato Head as its state's mascot. Before the deal was sealed, the movie Toy Story was released and the plan was dropped. In 1983, the Commission had already introduced a mascot, Potato Buddy, a cowboy potato cartoon that became Spuddy Buddy in 1994.[5]

In June 2009, the Idaho Fry Company agreed to change its name to the Boise Fry Company due to a complaint by the IPC over infringement of its "Idaho" trademarks.[3]

In August 2011, the IPC reached a six-year agreement to become title sponsor of the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, renaming it the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The group also announced that it would launch a new marketing campaign featuring Denise Austin during the upcoming college football season.[6] In December 2017, the sponsorship was renewed through 2021.[7]

In 2012, to mark its 75th anniversary, the IPC unveiled the "Big Idaho Potato Truck"—a touring flatbed truck carrying a 12 ft (3.7 m)-tall potato sculpture. The truck was originally intended to tour supermarkets across the United States throughout the year, and be retired afterwards. However, positive public reception to the Potato Truck led to it becoming a long-term campaign; the truck would make stops at sporting events and other public events across the country, and was also featured in the IPC's television advertising. In June 2018, after five years, the IPC unveiled a second iteration of the potato with a more durable construction.[8][9]

Governance

In January 2014, Peggy Grover was the first woman to be appointed to the board of the Idaho Potato Commission.[10] In September 2017, Mary Hasenoehrl was the second woman to be appointed member of the board, and the first woman to represent growers on the board.[11]

References
  1. "Idaho Potato Commission updates industry on its marketing plans". Potatopro.com. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  2. Jaleshgari, Ramin P. "L.I. Potato Packager and Idaho at War". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  3. "Idaho Fry Company name story makes national news". Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  4. "Hot spot: Idaho Potato Commission; look for the label". Adage.com. 30 September 1996. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  5. "Idaho Potato Commission celebrates 70 years". Spudman.com. July 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  6. "Best Spuds: Idaho Potato Commission Signs Deal To Title Sponsor Bowl Game In Boise". Sports Business Daily. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  7. "Idaho Potato Commission extends bowl game deal". Capital Press. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  8. "Big Idaho Potato Truck outfitted with new potato for next 10 years on the road". The Produce News. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  9. "How To Drive A Six-Ton Potato Without Causing A Five-Car Mashup". Atlas Obscura. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  10. JB Wogan (24 January 2014). "Meet the First Woman Appointed to the Idaho Potato Commission". Governing.com. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  11. "Idaho Potato Commission appoints first female grower, Mary Hasenoehrl". 21 September 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
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