Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/9408
FROM THE BOARD by Tom Qualey, USPB Immediate Past Chairman An Incredible Opportunity Meeting U.S. growers and looking ahead I WANT TO THANK THE UNITED STATES Potato Board for the opportunity to serve this industry as the FY 2010 Chairman. It was an incredible experience meeting people, and though traveling is not the most fun at times—especially coming from the East Coast—it was worth it. I’m very appreciative to my fellow Executive and Administrative Committee board members who traveled last year to attend the USPB Summer Meeting in Bangor, Maine. Hosting everybody here in Maine was the highlight of my year. Touring a fishery and a blueberry processing facility were very worthwhile pursuits. Cruising the Rocky Coast, followed by a lobster dinner overlooking the Bar Harbor village and marina, rounded out a fabulous day. I enjoyed having the chance to attend your regional conferences, seminars and trade shows—representing the USPB at venues like the First Annual Washington/ Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick, Wash., the Maine Potato Conference in Caribou, Maine and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Grower Education Conference and Industry Show at Stevens Point, Wis. These were great opportunities to associate and listen to growers everywhere. Though the production of potatoes is concentrated in the Northwest, potatoes are grown in nearly all 50 states. Having the opportunity to meet so many growers from all parts of the country, I’ve found that the size, soils and scale of farming operations may vary widely, but our opportunities and challenges are very much the same. While U.S. potatoes and potato products taste great, are nutritious and exceptionally versatile, our industry is increasingly challenged in its creation of quick-and-easy meal solutions. The shelf-stable mashed potato products currently in development, and introduced at the 2010 USPB Annual Meeting by Mattson, represent the kind of innovation our industry needs to challenge alternative side-dish products. I look forward to concepts like “Mashed in Minutes” being made available to “Lindas” everywhere who love potatoes, but need ways to prepare them in under 10 minutes. No matter which segment of the industry you represent, your chief role is the development of mealtime potato solutions for “Lindas.” Anything short of this is doomed to continued irrelevance by today’s 21st Century consumers. This is a real cyclical business. Having the USPB’s presence, with sound programs and set directives helps this industry excel through the highs and keeps us on course through the lows. The industry must concede there are no short-term solutions to long-term problems. While we must focus on quick-and-easy mealtime solutions for our consumers, be assured there won’t be anything quick or easy about our reversal of negative or flat consumption which was 10 years in the making. As the USPB moves ahead in the development of a new Long Range Plan, let’s make sure and learn from our past, and make sure future strategies maintain a focus on effective long-term, demand- building programs. PG MINUTE MASHED. “Mashed in Minutes,” a shelf-stable mashed potato products currently in development and introduced at the 2010 USPB Annual Meeting by Mattson, represent the kind of in- novation the industry needs to challenge alternative side-dish products. Courtesy photo. www.potatogrower.com 29