This information contained on this
website is provided by the Empire State Potato Growers Association
to improve you knowledge about the New York Potato Industry.
We sincerely hope that you benefit from the information contained in
our website, while using it to your benefit and the benefit of
others. We strive to provide little known facts (trivia),
dispel some of the myths that surround the potato and provide you
with information and amusement.
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Did you know that NY
farmers grow “blue” potatoes, and they are used for chips, and
specialty dishes? Some folks make red, white and blue potato
salad…
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Agriculture is the
largest industry in New York State.
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New York’s potato growers
are 13th in the nation in potato production.
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There are approximately
150 commercial potato growers in New York State.
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NY growers grow about
20,500 acres of crop for seed, fresh and processing.
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Did you know that
potatoes are a staple in most United States households and are
one of the most cost effective and nutritious foods you can put
on your family’s table?
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There is a potato
variety that was developed at Cornell University that is named
after the wife/ mother of a potato growing family in NY, The
Mahany’s. It is called Reba and it was introduced in 1996 but it
has already become one of the top 10 varieties grown in NY. It
is used for fresh or chipping potatoes.
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Did you know that
different varieties of potatoes have different uses? Some are
better for boiling, others for baking, and still others for
chipping. Visit our variety use page for tips.
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It is a little known
fact that the green on the skin of a potato is a natural
reaction to the potato being exposed to too much light. It
produces a bitter taste and should be cut away before cooking of
eating.
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The NY potato
industry crop is valued at about $62 million and production is
close to 5.7 million cwt.
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American’s Love
Their Potatoes: The average person eats 126 pounds of potatoes
each year in the form of frozen, fresh, chips and dehydrated.
That’s a lot of spuds!
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Did you know that
the Healthy Potato is naturally nutritious, filled with
good-for-you fiber, rich in Vitamin C and potassium, NO
fat-cholesterol-sodium… all for a mere 100 calories per serving.
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Fresh, NY grown
potatoes have more potassium than bananas, spinach and broccoli.
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NY potato growers
are stewards of the environment using innovative strategies to
protect our land and water. They utilize sustainable crop
management practices and work hard to minimize the impact of
crop protection tools on the environment.
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NY provides the
perfect environment for growing the tastiest potatoes. Fresh
air, sunshine, plentiful water, rich soils and high quality seed
all come together on NY potato farms.
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Buying locally
produced potatoes ensures you are getting the freshest,
tastiest, most eco-friendly supplies available to New York
consumers.
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Many NY potato
growers come from generations of farmers who have lived and
worked and contributed to their local communities for years and
are working to continue this tradition providing nutritious food
to their neighbors.
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Many New York potato
growers are proud members of the Pride of NY program. Look for
products containing the Pride of New York logo when you shop and
support your neighbors.
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/ap/prideofny/pride_index.html
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The Empire State
Potato Growers Inc sponsors a potato recipe contest at the NYS
Fair every year. Contestants use the freshest, highest quality
NY-grown potatoes to concoct the tastiest dishes. Watch for this
year’s winning recipes
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Looking for a quick
and easy idea for dinner tonight? Pick NY-grown potatoes. Visit
our recipe section for fast and nutritious potato dishes the
whole family will love.
http://www.potatogoodness.com/20minute.php
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Do you know the best
way to choose, store and prepare potatoes? Visit our Helpful
Tips section of our RECIPES web page for specifics of how to
keep your NY grown spuds in -tip top shape.
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Potato Chips can be
a part of a healthy diet with an average of 150 calories per
serving. When you compare the fat (10 grams or about 2.25 tsps),
salt (175 milligrams or about 1/10 of a teaspoon), cholesterol
(0) and preservatives (0) in the average potato chip to other
foods you are surprised at how well potato chips stack up.
(These are averages; check your chips for individual figures.)
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NY potato producers
grow chips for Cape Cod, Wise, Utz, Herr’s, Terrell’s and other regional
potato chip companies. Ask your grocer to stock chips from
locally grown farmers for the best tasting, freshest snacks.
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New York has local
potato chip producers who grow their own potatoes and make them
into chips. (BUBBA’S CHIPS, Avoca, NY and North Fork Long Island
Potato Chips, Mattituck, NY)
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NY is the original
home of the potato chip.
In
1853 railroad magnate Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt complained
that his potatoes were cut too thick and sent them back to the
kitchen at a fashionable resort in Saratoga Springs, NY. To
spite his haughty guest, Chef George Crum sliced some potatoes
paper-thin, fried them in hot oil, salted and served them. To
everyone's surprise, Vanderbilt loved his "Saratoga Crunch
Chips," and potato chips have been popular ever since.
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NY growers grow
potatoes for chipping by many regional processors. Potato
chips are made from fresh slices of potatoes. They are full of
Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, fiber and 11 other nutrients.
