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WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 17 "We definitely have a niche market with this," says Sands. "How big of a niche? People can guess; they can say it's a fad. If it is, we'll ride the wave as far as we can." "David is looking at the diabetic market," says Pilgeram, "but I think there's a much bigger, generally health-conscious market out there." Sands and Pilgeram know it may be an uphill climb growing the market for "nutritious" potatoes such like Huckleberry Gold—yields currently are significantly lower than most russet and red varieties, and a consumer's glance may not show much differentiation between Huckleberry Gold and already popular specialty varieties like Yukon Gold. But they're hopeful. "We have to answer a few questions for growers to be confident in these 'nutritious' potatoes," says Sands. "Who's going buy it? Is it snake oil, or is it the real deal? Are those ingredients really important, or is it going to just sell out in one year and never be seen again? Will consumers pay more for it, and how much? Is the market building? If it has true scientific merit in terms of nutrition, it'll have staying power." Pilgeram believes the low-GI movement has legs based simply on the growth she's seen in the specialty potato market, into which even many of the most traditional, dyed-in-the-wool russet growers have dipped a toe. "Most of these guys are very good at marketing, and many of them have been very successful at creating demand for the potatoes they grow," she says. "So maybe the message to growers is this: Don't overlook nutritional markets, and don't wait too long to jump in." "They pay us as researchers to dream," says Sands. "You can do a lot with potatoes. If something is changeable in an interesting way, let's go for it. We've got a think tank up here, and we're not about to quit. If the industry picks up on it, so much the better." THE BEST PRODUCTS • THE BEST SERVICE • THE BEST PRICE Celebrating 33 Years! Since 1982 GEAR BOXES • FAFNIR BEARINGS • ROLLERS HYDRAULICS • BELTED CHAIN BELTING • SPROCKETS A U T H O R I Z E D D E A L E R F O R ® Liquid Handling Products SUPERIOR CHAIN, INC. Minnesota Beltway USA 208-356-4317 1217 S. RAILROAD AVE • SUGAR CITY, ID 83448 TILLAGE • ELECTRIC MOTORS YOUR NEW HARRISTON/MAYO DEALER YOUR NEW MILESTONE DEALER 149838MauWel12v.indd 1 8/3/15 9:51 AM "They pay us as researchers to dream," says Sands. "You can do a lot with potatoes. If something is changeable in an interesting way, let's go for it. We've got a think tank up here, and we're not about to quit. If the industry picks up on it, so much the better." HYDRAULICS • BELTED CHAIN YOUR NEW MILESTONE DEALER the better." Eylul Kaya, left, and Alice Pilgeram work seedlings of low-glycemic potato varieties in a greenhouse on the main campus of Montana State University.