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26 POTATO GROWER | AUGUST 2017 26 POTATO GROWER | AUGUST 2017 BUSY SUMMER Nothing says summer like potato industry events I am writing this column in late June, which has brought summer to Colorado's San Luis Valley. With summer comes a flurry of activity for the Colorado potato industry. Growers have been busy planting and cultivating in the field, and the emerging crop of potatoes is off to a fantastic start. Mother Nature has been kind this spring with ample snow rapidly melting to replenish our aquifer with critical irrigation water crucial to our growers' crops. The first week of June the Colorado Administrative Committee (CPAC) hosted a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) workshop for 28 growers and shippers. The two-day class focused on a systemic, scientific approach to food safety that leads to improved problem-solving skills and stresses a team-oriented environment in the workplace. This approach leads to a culture focused on food safety improvement. While potatoes are inherently safer than many produce items because they are cooked before eaten, it is important that the industry provide the very best quality possible in food safety for our customers and consumers. Colorado growers and shippers strive to excel in the area of food safety, and CPAC is pleased to provide support. Colorado Potato Administrative Committee By James J. Ehrlich Executive Director Summer has arrived in Colorado, and with it has come a fl urry of activity for the state's potato industry. On June 11, the CPAC staff and 28 potato industry volunteers served piping hot baked potatoes seven miles from the summit of Wolf Creek Pass to the nearly 2,000 cyclists and support staff for the annual Ride the Rockies bicycle tour. Established in 1986 by the Denver Post, riders come from all over the country to participate in the six-day, cross-state tour. The event is so popular riders have to submit to a lottery registration system and hope to be selected to ride. Riders travel 447 miles and climbed a total of 32,337 feet on this year's route. The route is different every year, but whenever the ride comes to the San Luis valley, CPAC is there with a free nutritious, energy-packed baked potato of the highest quality. It is great fun, and what better way to promote the healthy energy packet that potatoes are for athletes? On June 14, CPAC hosted its annual golf tournament at Cattails Golf course in Alamosa, Colo. It was a fun day for growers and families to spend the day and concluded with a nice meal in the evening. This year, the National Potato Council's John Keeling was in attendance to tell tall Texas tales and enlighten the crowd. In addition our sister organization, the Colorado Potato Legislative Association, conducted a raffle to raise funds for POPAC. To finish June off, we were also proud to host the NPC summer meeting June 28-30 in Denver at the historic Brown Palace Hotel. The Original Light-Blocking Combo Bag www.foxbag.com | (956) 682-6176 Streamlining your operations and extending product shelf-life. October 19-21 New Orleans, LA Visit us at Booth #1845 164078FoxSol16h.indd 1 6/12/17 3:08 PM Asking $170,000 Complete Set Up 715-344-4098 HAGAN SIZER FOR SALE IN WI • 3 lane Hagan Sizer • 3 herring bones • 3 x-ray machines • Tilt belt feed • 9 station Koch fi ller • All conveyors • 2-box feed system 167541WorSon112.indd 1 6/12/17 4:19 PM The Colorado potato industry was there at the annual Ride the Rockies event to replenish cyclists with nutritious baked potatoes.