b'Another study by Technomics, Inc.notingbreakfastpotatoesare confirmstheimportanceandMost potatoexhibiting a strong comeback.growth of potato sales in the food- dishes are service sector. Data from July 2021- We at Potatoes USA expect foodser-June 2022 shows that the volume ofloved by oldercontinuetothrivedespite viceto potatoessoldtofoodserviceongoing labor, inflation, and supply increased by 12%, and the value ofgenerations,chain challenges. Yet we continue to those potato sales increased by 26%.especiallyexpectfoodserviceoperatorsto Value in this example refers to thefocus on smaller, more manageable amountfoodserviceoperatorspaidclassic menus and less complex dishes that suppliersfortheproduct.require a lot of highly skilled labor. Interestingly, refrigerated, dehydrat- potato The versatility of ingredients is key, ed, and fresh potatoes showed thedishes likeworking across the menu in many strongest growth of 25%, 19%, anddaypartsandmenuitems.Thisall 18%,respectively.Frozenpotatoroastedbodes well for the potato industry, sales grew at the slowest rate of 9%,as we have a variety of formats that yet it was the potato format that waspotatoes andworkacrossthemenuatvarious less impacted by the pandemic. It ispotatoprice points. And foodservice opera-currently the product closest to pre- torsknowonething,Americans pandemic volumes compared to allpancakes. lovepotatoes,andwhatsellsgets other product categories. Its worthon, and stays on, their menus. JANUARY 2023 POTATO GROWER 7'