Idaho Potato Commission TV Spot, ‘Idaho Potato Truck’ Featuring Heather Cox.
Who is the actor in the Idaho potato commercial?
This article appears in the 2015 Idaho Annual issue of Potato Grower, It’s only 9:30 on a late September morning, but it’s already shaping up to be another hot day in the Treasure Valley, The dust that always accompanies potato harvest has been floating in the air at Mark Coombs’s farm west of Middleton for a couple hours now, and Coombs is bouncing around from field to transloading site to cellar with an energy and enthusiasm that belie his more than 30 years in the business.
- I never ask anyone here to do anything I’m not able and willing to do, and that I haven’t done a hundred times myself,” says Coombs.
- He says it with the seriousness that is common to growers who have built their lives on gritted teeth, back pain and smashed fingers, yet with an almost youthful joy that lets you know there’s nothing in the world he’d rather be doing.
Mark Coombs grew up the fourth and youngest son of Dean Coombs, who, as Mark puts it, “took this farm out of the brush” in 1950. One by one, each of his brothers grew up and left the farm, but the farm in Middleton was Mark’s home, and he wanted in. After attending BYU, he returned in 1978 to help his father run the farm.
- It’s always been one of my dreams to be on the farm,” Coombs says.
- I often wonder what it would’ve been like if I’d done something different.
- You always wonder what the future would’ve held, but this is what I wanted.” If he had done something different, the Coombs property may never have had a potato grown on it.
Beef cattle had been the backbone of the operation since Dean had settle in the area in 1950. Around the time of Dean’s death in 1984, the decision was made to transition to row crops, primarily wheat and corn. Then, in 1989, Mark was visiting with his close friend Mike Wagner, who farmed just a few miles away.
Neither had ever grown potatoes, but the crop was booming in western Idaho, and the two neighbors decided they could each make a go of it. “We just said, ‘If these other guys can do it, so can we,'” recalls Coombs. “Mike and I have been in it together since we started growing potatoes. We’ve helped each other a lot, and he’s become a very good friend to me.” In the mid-‘90s, Mark’s oldest brother Brent returned to the farm and has played an integral role in pushing the family’s success in the potato industry.
These days, the Coombses consistently harvests 300 acres of Russet Burbanks annually on a five-year rotation. The potato game has been good to Mark Coombs and his family, and he’s been sure to pay back to the industry when and where he can. Coombs is perhaps best known as the face of Idaho potato growers in the Idaho Potato Commission’s series of commercials that have run on national television the past three years.
Why is Idaho famous for potatoes?
Idaho’s unique environment provides nearly perfect growing conditions for potatoes. The soil, clear clean water, clean air and climate in Idaho make potatoes superior to any potato grown anywhere else. Summer days along the Snake River valley are sunny and warm, combined with Idaho’s cool nights provide ideal climate conditions for the growing and production of potatoes.
Idaho’s rich volcanic soil is ideally suited for potatoes. Potatoes seem to grow better in a light soil, like volcanic ash which has a rich supply of trace minerals and appears to be necessary for successful potato production. Idaho’s scenic mountains collect snow throughout the winter months. In the spring, the snow melts and flows into large reservoirs both above and below ground.
Water from the reservoirs are used to irrigate the potatoes using irrigation systems which can be programmed using the correct amount of water needed. Lastly, Idaho farmers have generations of experience and knowledge of growing potatoes. Pioneering research to improve the soil, storage and processing have made them the world’s research leaders.
Idaho has the world’s most advanced storage research center and claims more environmentally controlled commercial storage facilities than any other growing region. There may be similar growing areas in the world but none have the complete combination which Idaho has to grow the best potatoes on the market today.
Articles A History of the Potato in Idaho by James W Davis Why Idaho? The correct combination of the elements?. The Idaho’s World Potato Exposition: A brief history of struggles and triumph
What are Idaho potatoes?
Idaho® potatoes are similar. Some people think that Idaho potatoes are a variety of potato but the name, which is trademarked by the Idaho Potato Commission, applies to any potato grown in Idaho. While the majority of Idaho’s potato crop is russet, other varieties include red potatoes, fingerling, and gold varieties.
Who is the Idaho potato farmer on TV?
‘These wildly popular national television commercials featuring the Great Big Idaho® Potato and the farmer, Mark Coombs, have generated tremendous brand awareness but have also engaged consumers more than any of our other television commercials ever have,’ explained Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC.
Is the Idaho potato Man a real farmer?
BOISE, Idaho – Billionaire J.R. Simplot, the spud king of America whose wealth also helped create one of the world’s biggest computer chip makers, died Sunday at his Boise home.
Which state grows the best potatoes?
The Top 10 Potato Producing States In The US
| Rank | US State | Potato Production in thousand centum weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 134,850 |
| 2 | Washington | 99,220 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 29,750 |
| 4 | Oregon | 25,245 |
What is the racial makeup of Idaho?
America Counts today launches a state-by-state look at the demographic changes the new 2020 Census results reveal. Our state profiles bring you all key population characteristics of your state and your county on one page. See how they compare to the nation overall and to neighboring counties and states.
Population (up 7.4% to 331.4 million). Race and ethnicity (White alone 61.6%; Black alone 12.4%; Hispanic 18.7%; Asian alone 6%; American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1.1%; Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0.2%; Some Other Race alone 8.4%; Two or More Races 10.2%). Diversity Index (61.1%, up from 54.9%). Under-18 (down 1.4%) and adult population (up 10.1%). Housing units (up 6.7%) and vacancies (down to 9.7%).
Which state grows the least amount of potato?
Findings –
Of the states data is available for, Idaho harvests the most acres of potatoes accounting for just under one-third of the nation’s total acreage dedicated to the crop. Hawaii harvests only 0.002 percent of the total acreage dedicated to potatoes in the nation. The second largest turkey producing state, Washington, makes up 14 percent of the total and is the only other state besides Idaho who is responsible for more than 10 percent of the nations acreage dedicated to producing potatoes.
What is the number one crop in Idaho?
Idaho wheat farmers have some of the highest yields per acre. In terms of revenue generated, wheat has consistently ranked as Idaho’s second largest crop behind potatoes.
What potato is best for mashed potatoes?
So what are the best potatoes for mashing? – We consider Yukon Gold potatoes the best choice for classic dense mashed potatoes, Their rich texture and subtle creaminess make them great for all of your mashing needs. A true all-purpose potato, they’re also good for shredding, roasting, grilling, blending (?!), and shingling.
So when you’re shopping for your Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or really any occasion that calls for the smoothest, creamiest side dish imaginable, keep an eye out for their bright yellow skins. According to senior food editor Christina Chaey, there’s a few reasons Yukons get BA’s gold medal in mashing year after year.
“For starters, Yukon Golds have a naturally buttery flavor compared to other common potatoes, so you have a richer tasting natural potato from the get-go,” she says. That buttery flavor will only get boosted when it comes time to add actual butter or cream leading to perfect mashed potatoes in the end.
What potato has the best flavor?
15. Japanese Sweet Potato – 
LauraLisLT / Pixabay Another starchy sweet potato, the Japanese Sweet Potato is a bit different than the Jewel Yam. It comes with white flesh and skin that varies from pink to purple hues. This potato is nutty, yet sweet in flavor, and it’s great when baked, steamed, or grilled.
They’re also delicious blended into a soup, fried into chip form, or stuffed into your favorite casserole. There are so many exciting varieties to choose from, why not start growing your own potato garden today?! Yukon Gold may be the most popular type of variety for its great taste and use in a wide variety of different dishes, but a variety like the popular sweet potato Jewel Yam or a type you can harvest earlier in the season may be more ideal for you.
Think about the flavors and dishes you and your family enjoy the most. Then, ensure you have a sunny location to start growing potatoes and find a grow method that’s right for you. Raised garden beds may help you yield the most significant crop, for example, while grow bags are often easier for beginners to learn how to grow potatoes. 
Who owns grown in Idaho frozen potatoes?
In 2017 Lamb Weston has launched its Grown In Idaho® brand of (frozen) potato products These are the first ever frozen potato products for retail that are made with 100% real Idaho® potatoes. (Click picture to watch video) Grown in Idaho promotional video Grown In Idaho® products are sold throughout the United States at most major retail outlets. Grown in Idaho frozen potato products
What is a potato truck?
Technically — meaning, according to the State Patrol — trucks were to have wipers, windows, headlights, mufflers. Amazing is the revelation, to know first-hand what a vehicle can do without, when the task at hand is to remove the surface of the earth, extract the potatoes, then put back the dirt. Most of it anyway.
Who owns grown in Idaho frozen potatoes?
In 2017 Lamb Weston has launched its Grown In Idaho® brand of (frozen) potato products These are the first ever frozen potato products for retail that are made with 100% real Idaho® potatoes. (Click picture to watch video) Grown in Idaho promotional video Grown In Idaho® products are sold throughout the United States at most major retail outlets. Grown in Idaho frozen potato products
What is a potato truck?
Technically — meaning, according to the State Patrol — trucks were to have wipers, windows, headlights, mufflers. Amazing is the revelation, to know first-hand what a vehicle can do without, when the task at hand is to remove the surface of the earth, extract the potatoes, then put back the dirt. Most of it anyway.