Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1438839
26 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2022 AMERICAN FALLS • POCATELLO • BLACKFOOT • SHELLEY • IDAHO FALLS • AMMON • RIRIE • RIGBY • REXBURG • MUD LAKE • DRIGGS • DILLON, MT w w w . b a n k o f c o m m e r c e . o r g YOUR TRUE AG PARTNER 4096-2BankofCommerce12h.indd 1 4096-2BankofCommerce12h.indd 1 10/21/21 2:37 PM 10/21/21 2:37 PM category alone, 11% of vegetables increased on menus in 2020, and almost 90% decreased in menu penetration. Potatoes declined on menus by 0.5% from 2019 to 2021, yet grew in penetration in a few key delivery-friendly categories, including pizza and fried appetizers. Today, potatoes are a menu staple, found on more than four our of five menus (83%) and expected to grow in penetration over the next four years, with the trend-forward fast-casual segment driving much of this growth. For the first quarter of the current marketing year (July to September 2021), potato sales to foodservice have continued the recovery, and in some cases are starting to reach pre- pandemic levels. Frozen sales are up 29% compared to 2020, led by 41% growth to the full-service sector and 21% growth to beyond restaurants. Fresh potato sales are up 13% from 2020 and only down 7% compared to 2019. Beyond restaurants were up 38% and full-service up 31%. So, what does the future look like for foodservice—and for potatoes? A lot depends on how our population deals with the ongoing issues around new COVID-19 variants and regulations. Consumer spending at foodservice is projected to get back to (and exceed) 2019 levels by 2023. And even with operational concerns driving menu cuts, the most enduring trends persisted during the pandemic, including plant-based/ plant-forward cuisine and global flavors, both of which are great news for potatoes. Innovation is now more important than ever, and trends are expected to continue to grow as operations are restored. Pent- up demand post-lockdown will drive cravings (and foot traffic) as people look to foodservice to remedy more than a year of "same-old" with craveable, imaginative fare that can only be found at the restaurants they love. PG