The U.S. Potato Board is launching a campaign to promote the value of the vegetable.
By The Associated Press

Potato growers are taking to the offensive and arguing publicly that even low-carb dieters should put potatoes back on their plates.

The U.S. Potato Board, which counts the Maine Potato Board among its members, is launching a pro-potato promotion this week that will focus on the nutritional benefits of potatoes. The Idaho Potato Commission has begun waging a separate national campaign to boost consumption of that state’s world famous commodity.

As the popularity of the Atkins diet, along with other diets low in carbohydrates and high in proteins, has taken off, potato consumption has fallen. Global french fry sales are down 5 percent, and industry leaders blame not just depressed economies but the campaign against obesity and those popular low-carb diets.

Timothy Hobbs, director of development and grower relations with the Maine Potato Board, said Maine farmers are feeling the effects.

Hobbs said people should know that potatoes are high in vitamin C and potassium. The U.S. Potato Board says a single potato has only 9 percent of the recommended daily allowance of carbohydrates, and that spuds have protein.

“Demand is down all across the country, and I think it’s due in part to the low-carb diets that are out there today,” Hobbs said.

The Idaho Potato Commission has enlisted Denise Austin, host of the popular exercise program “Denise Austin’s Daily Workout” on the Lifetime network. She will promote the value and importance of carbohydrates in television appearances, articles in targeted publications and on the Internet.

Idaho’s $230,000 campaign also includes a 30-second television commercial now airing in major urban markets.

“Our biggest job right now is to tell the nutritional story about Idaho potatoes,” commission Director Frank Muir said. “We understand that America is waging a fierce weight battle, but…active healthy people need carbohydrates to fuel their working muscles. It’s that simple.”

AP-ES-01-07-04 0217EST