Meet your Grower

It’s a Family Tradition
Many NY potato growers come from generations of farmers who have lived, worked and contributed to their local communities for years. They are proud to continue this tradition of providing nutritious food to their neighbors.

NY Growers Harvest Excellence
NY provides the perfect environment for growing the tastiest potatoes. Fresh air, warm sunshine, plentiful water, rich soils and high quality seed all come together on NY potato farms.

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.

Most are GAP certified, ensuring you are getting potatoes that are grown using good agricultural practices and following food safety guidelines.

Members of the Empire State Potato Growers Inc. are leaders in the industry partnering with researchers at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, attending workshops focused on the latest technologies and strategies for growing and storing potatoes, and sharing experiences with other growers to work toward a better state and national industry.

Potatoes are a staple in most US households and are one of the most cost effective and nutritious foods available to consumers. The Healthy Potato is naturally nutritious, filled with good-for-you fiber, Vitamin C and potassium, and has no cholesterol, no fat, no sodium.

The NY potato industry is a strong group of seed, fresh and chipping potato growers. There are about 150 growers, harvesting 18,000 acres across Upstate New York and Long Island.

Your Best Source for Local, High Quality Potatoes
Buying locally produced potatoes ensures you are getting the freshest, tastiest, most eco-friendly supplies.

Different varieties of potatoes have different uses. Some are best for boiling, others for roasting, others for baking, still others for frying or chipping. Click here to explore potato varieties.

The NY Potato Industry
Our producers are a strong group of seed, fresh and chipping potato growers.
There are about 150 growers, harvesting 18,000 acres across Upstate New York and Long Island.

This represents $72.7 million in value of production.

NY ranks 14th in the size of production of US growers.

NY Growers Financially Support Potato Research Programs
Our growers and association contribute directly to research and breeding programs that are designed to provide improved varieties-these new potatoes might be resistant to pests and diseases, provide better nutrition, be more marketable and provide the consumer with more choices.

We partner with NPC, USPB, New York State Department of Ag & Markets, and USDA’s ARS and APHIS to leverage research funds to their best utilization.

Many potato growers in NY grow fresh potatoes. Some producers grow and package their own potatoes. Others grow and sell to others to package them. You can find NY grown fresh potatoes at your local farmers markets, grocery stores and produce stands.

NY potato farmers also grow potatoes for chips. NY grown potatoes can be found in Wise, Utz, Herr, Terrells, Dirty potato chip products. Bubba Chips and North Fork Chips are grown and made by NY farmer/processors.

The best potatoes are grown from the best seed. NY farmers also produce the highest quality potato seed available.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS
We work with the National Potato Council and the US Potato Board to provide consumers with the best products and farmers with the most innovative techniques. ESPG also partner with the NY Seed Improvement Cooperative and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide high quality, safe food to consumers.

NEW YORK SEED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Philip Atkins, Manager, Cornell University, PO Box 218, Ithaca, NY 14851.

NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL
The National Potato Council is an agricultural organization that partners with the Empire State Potato Growers Inc. to represent New York state potato growers on a national level. The primary goals of the NPC are monitoring, at the national level, all legislative, environmental, trade and grower related issues. National Potato Council, 300 L Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: 202.682.9456 Fax: 202.682.0333 www.nationalpotatocouncil.org

UNITED STATES POTATO BOARD
The US Potato Board is an agricultural organization that partners with the Empire State Potato Growers Inc. to represent New York State Potato growers on a national level. The USPB’s mission is to “increase demand for potatoes and potato products through an integrated promotional program, thereby providing US producers with expanding markets for their production.” United States Potato Board, 7555 East Hampden Ave., Suite 412, Denver, CO 80231. Phone: 303.369.7783 Fax: 303.369.7718 www.uspotatoes.com

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS