b'The Wait Is Over: Foodservice Sales Near Pre-Pandemic LevelsKim Breshears,Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USAFoodserviceisback!Infact,totalor an accompaniment to a protein, sales in the foodservice sector havealthoughthisischanging.The nearlyreboundedtopre-pandemicplant-basedmovementhascata-levelsandareexpectedtogrowpultedpotatoesintobeingamain 5.5% in 2023. There is no denyingcomponent in dishes like tacos and that some of this growth is due tocurry. highermenupricesandinflation, butitsalsodrivenbyconsumerMostpotatodishesarelovedby demand.older generations, especially classic potatodisheslikeroastedpotatoes Through it all, potatoes maintainedand potato pancakes. Younger gen-aplaceofprominenceonmenuserationsgravitatetodeliciousfry acrosstheU.S.Accordingtodisheslikeloadedfriesandcheese Datassential, potatoes are one of thefries. Speaking of fries, this category A US Potatoesmostconsistentlymenueditemshas seen explosive growth, particu-showingupon83%ofmenuslarly fries that showcase ingredients nationwide,whiletheincidencesand flavors from different cuisines. have increased by 5%. Incidences isThicker-cut fries that can hold mul-just a fancy word for the number oftipleingredients,likewedgefries,Messagedishes on a menu that contain pota- wafflefries,andcurlyfries,have toes. This is impressive! Despite thealso grown significantly on menus. turmoilrestaurantshaveexperi- Potatoesarebecomingmorecom-encedduringthepandemic,pota- monoutsideofAmericancuisine toes have grown in importance. JustrestaurantsintheUnitedStates. onemoreindicatorofhowmuchKorean, Chinese, Thai, and African the humble spud is beloved.cuisineshavethefastest-growing potato appearances on their menus, Potatoesareespeciallycommonatwhilemanyofthefastest-growing American, BBQ, and burger restau- ingredientsarebeingpairedwith rants, where over 95% of restaurantspotatoes,likepeanutsandginger, use potatoes in one or more menuwhicharecommoninthese items,accordingtoDatassential.cuisines.They are typically used as a side dish6 POTATO GROWER JANUARY 2023'