Idaho Potato Industry Bands Together to Offer Relief

    BOISE, Idaho, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by the Idaho Potato Commission,
several key Idaho Potato industry partners have marshaled their resources to
send some 40,000 pounds of dehydrated Idaho Potatoes flakes to Indonesia to
help feed the Tsunami survivors.
    Working with partners United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho (who donated
the fresh potatoes) and potato processors Larsen Farms (Hammer, ID) and Idaho
Supreme (Firth, ID) for processing and packaging the huge donation, the IPC
arranged for Food for the Poor, Inc. (FFP) to receive the donation.
    FFP is the fifth largest international relief organization in the world
and raises funds and provides direct relief assistance to the poor, usually by
purchasing specifically requested materials and distributing them through the
churches and charity organizations already operating in areas of need.
    "It is impossible not to be deeply affected by what happened in Indonesia.
The devastation was so horrendous that we were moved to do whatever we could
as an industry to help feed the survivors," said Frank Muir, IPC President.
"We are grateful to our partners who donated and processed the potatoes and we
are all glad for the opportunity to help."
    The 40,000 pound donation is expected to arrive in Indonesia by early to
mid July.  According to the FFP, the dehydrated Idaho Potato flakes will be
immediately distributed via various organizations in the most hard-hit of
areas.
    "We welcome this gift with open arms and hearts," said Cliff Feldman, FFP
Program Specialist.  "We know that Idaho Potatoes are packed with nutrition
and the fact that the dehydrated product is so very shelf-stable is another
excellent benefit.  This donation is an extremely practical food item to send
to Indonesia."
    Although Idaho is famous worldwide for its premium potatoes, some
consumers don't realize that only potatoes grown in the Gem State can wear the
"Grown In Idaho" seal.  Both Idaho(R) Potatoes and the "Grown in Idaho(R)"
seal are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC.
These Marks ensure that consumers are purchasing potatoes that have been grown
in the state of Idaho.

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