b'NPPGA To Help Promote Potato Performanceby Ted Kreis, NPPGA Marketing and Communications Directortiousbattleiseasytodisprovebutthecarbthinghasbeenatougher fight.Atthe2018PotatoesUSA annual meeting inColorado,thegroupsCEOBlairRichardsonannounced it was timeforpotatoestofightbackandgoontheoffensive.Heintro-ducedaplantopro-motethepotatoasaPotatoes USA (formerly the United performance food.AStates Potato Board) has gone on the polishedpromotionaloffensive,andNorthernPlains videogotthecrowdPotatoGrowersAssociation excitedandoverthispastyeara anathletespre-gamemeal.With(NPPGA) will be assisting with that comprehensivepromotionalcam- thatinmind,potatoesarenowstrategy!paignhasbeencreated,onethat beingtoutedasanequal,ifnotawas presented in more detail at this better alternative.On a per-servingForyears,PotatoesUSAandother years Potatoes USA annual meeting basis, potatoes contain 26 grams ofpotato organizations like ours, have in March. carbohydratesplusasmuchifnotspentalotoftimeandmoney moreofseveralessentialvitaminsdefendingthepotatoagainstlow- It has long been the strategy of ath- and minerals compared to spaghet-carbohydrate(carb)dietsandthe letes to load up on carbs before an ti, brown rice or whole wheat bread.generalmisconceptionthatpota- athletic event or contest to improve With more potassium than a medi-toesarefatteningandnotnutri- both physical and mental perform- um size banana, potatoes are perfecttious.The fattening and non-nutri- ance. Often pasta has been part offoraidingmuscle,cardiovascularNPPGA will be a sponsor and promote Potato Performance at the 2019 Grand Forks Wild Hog Marathon in September.Photo courtesy of the Grand Forks Marathon.4 POTATO GROWER MAY/JUNE 2019'