F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 POTATO GROWER 7 the energy and nutrients they need to be attentive at their desks and fully participate in the lessons they are learning in the classroom. Some research has suggested that potatoes are one of the most filling foods available. In addition, potatoes may stave off hunger as well or better than other common sides. A new study by a researcher at Ryerson University in Toronto investigated how potatoes impact cognitive per- formance, glycemia, and subjective appetite in school age children. Results illustrated that children who consumed potatoes, had improved short-term memory, were more alert and pleasant, and maintained appetite suppression for at least three hours after eating potatoes. Potatoes USA has been engaged in promoting potatoes to school food- service operators since June 2015. These efforts have included creating educational videos for students and foodservice staff, creating potato recipes that fit into the meal guide- lines for all day parts, and ultimate- ly being a resource for all things potato for foodservice directors. Based on an evaluation of menus at the top 100 school districts in the country, potatoes were on 98% of menus in the fall of 2017 and the incidence of potatoes on K-12 menus increased from 2.2 times per month in the fall of 2016 to 2.5 in 2017, a 13% increase. To help further increase these pota- to offerings and assist school food- service directors Potatoes USA is in the early stages of developing a 5- day menu featuring potatoes for breakfast and lunch and other new menuing suggestions. To learn how you can get involved in these efforts to increase the use of potatoes in school foodservice please contact Rachael Lynch at [email protected]. agroliquid.com/salt-index