Idaho Potato Commission Conducts National Survey to Celebrate Potato Lover's Month

Americans Prefer Their Spuds Baked and Grown in Idaho

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Mar 03, 2014, 01:50 ET

EAGLE, Idaho, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- And the survey says...we live in a tater nation! In a new survey by the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), 97% of Americans said they eat potatoes and more than 81% enjoy them as a side dish, snack or main course on average of three days per week.

"The Idaho Potato Commission's marketing programs have one main objective – to increase Idaho® potato consumption nationwide," explained Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. "We were thrilled with the survey results, which found consumer attitudes toward potatoes shifting. America's favorite vegetable is now consumed three times a week, up from two times per week in 2009!"

Other "eye-opening" survey results:

Tater Nation
- 97% of Americans eat potatoes.
- Over four in five (81%) sit down with a plate of potatoes once a week.
- More men than women (84% vs. 78%) eat potatoes once a week.
- Midwesterners are more likely than those in other regions of the country to eat potatoes at least once a week (88% vs. 78%).

Popular Preparations
Americans like convenience and it's evident in their favorite ways to eat potatoes.
- Baked (29%)
- Mashed (25%)
- French fries (17%)
- Hash browns (9%)
- Potato chips (5%)
- Baked potatoes are favored more by those who are 45+ than by 18-44 year-olds (36% vs. 23%).
- More 18-44 year olds than those who are 45+ prefer French fries (21% vs. 12%).

Cravings
When asked which vegetable you crave most, potatoes were the clear winner. Nearly one quarter (24%) of the Americans chose spuds, followed by leafy greens such as lettuce, kale or spinach (20%), broccoli (14%), tomatoes (13%) or corn (11%).

When I Say Potato…You Say Idaho
Despite the growing "buy local" movement, 72% of Americans would eat Idaho® potatoes over potatoes from other states.

About the Survey
The Idaho Potato Commission survey was conducted by Kelton between January 7th and February 3rd, 2014 among 1,000 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over using an email invitation and an online survey.

About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous "Grown in Idaho®" seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain–fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance. These ideal growing conditions are what differentiate Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states. For more information, visit: www.idahopotato.com.

SOURCE Idaho Potato Commission