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The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association’s Spudmobile
Wisconsin Potatoes Help Satisfy Eastern Supermarket Demand
Badger State spuds allow for next-day deliveries.
Throughoutmostoftheyear,potatoes grown in the Badger State are crit- ical in supplying Midwestern and East Coast supermarket shelves. ey also help retailers sell more
produce.
Wisconsin grower-shippers cite logistical
advantages. Because Wisconsin’s growing region is so close to the major U.S. population centers east of the Mississippi River, potato packers can send product to retailers in those states faster than Western growing regions.
“It’s our proximity to the market,” says Mike Carter, chief executive of Bushmans’ Inc., whichgrowsandshipsfromRosholt,WI.“We
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER
o er retailers lower costs in distribution. Fewer miles means lower costs. It’s that timeliness of getting product to the market. We are able to do it almost always overnight, which is a huge bene t to retailers. As we can deliver to our markets very quickly, it means less shrink for retailers because they will have less inventory in their warehouses.”
Wisconsin is also a major potato supplier to retailers in the South. “We are the largest supplier east of the Mississippi,” says Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the Antigo, WI-based Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), Inc. “ e mostimportantthingistohavefreshquality
product. As we are so centrally located, we can deliver product overnight. Buyers can get fresh product when and where they need it. Retailers can count on outstanding quality and service from our shippers, who provide great service in terms of nding trucks and getting product to the market.”
Wisconsin’s location helps keep retail produce shelves competitive. “Wisconsin is conveniently located within a one- to two-day ride from most major markets east of the Mississippi River,” says Tim Hu cutt, marketing director with RPE, Inc., which is headquartered in Bancroft, WI. “ is allows ustoprovideawiderangeofpotatovarieties
PHOTO COURTESY OF RPE
PHOTO COURTESY OF WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION
PRODUCE BUSINESS / SEPTEMBER 2019 / 57