J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 POTATO GROWER 7 the potato industry to install pota- to-friendly salad bars in school lunch programs across the United States. Fast forward to the present and the Salad Bar Challenge is still going strong. Thanks to the potato industry’s dedication to child health and well-being, salad bars are being placed across the country. Since this announcement, Potatoes USA and the potato industry have donated 264 salad bars. This makes the pota- to industry the number one com- modity donator to the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign through The United Fresh Start Foundation. Salad bars are not only a means to provide healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables to students but also a means to “get a foot in the door” for Potatoes USA to better place potatoes on menus overall. To help get the most out of the Salad Bar Challenge, additional marketing has been created to target salad bars specifically. These materials are not only popular and accessible to the potato industry’s salad bar recipi- ents, but all schools with salad bars. This past year, many salad bar relat- ed events occurred at schools that boosted awareness of potatoes on school menus and publicity to the donor. With all the regulations, strict state and federal requirements, and the “not one size fits all” approach for schools, potatoes on the salad bar may not be achievable for all schools. But increased pota- toes on the menu is achievable with the right marketing and the chance for a discussion with the schools themselves that the donations bring. The School Foodservice team at Potatoes USA is working hard to infiltrate school menus and educate the school professionals, students, and parents on potatoes. Not only are the schools wanting more pota- toes on the menu but they want to create strategic partnerships that will allow us to further increase awareness of the great taste and nutrition of potatoes with students and their parents. You can do your part by Donating a Salad Bar today! harristonmayo.com (218) 773-1234 Barrel Washer Surge Hopper System Design Stainless Steel Telescoping Conveyor