b'Potatoes and Foodservice; The Perfect PairingKim Breshears, Marketing Program Director,Potatoes USATheU.S.isthelargestmarketinthe types. worldforconsumerrestaurantspend-ing.U.S.foodservicesalesin2018 In addition to strong sales, potato menuexceeded $800 billion.With restaurants penetration is strong.Potatoes are oncompetingforstaffing,skilledlabor, 83.2% of foodservice menus in the U.S.customers and high-quality ingredients according to Datassential.Interestingly,to gain a competitive edge. Its an excit- potatoes are most frequently found oningtimeforthefoodserviceindustry fine dining (91%), casual dining (89.4%)and those who supply it. andmid-scale(85.5%)ofrestaurantmenus.WhilepotatoesarepopularPotatoesarebigbusinessforfoodser- throughout the day, they are most com-vice.In fact, the foodservice industry monly offered on breakfast, all day andsliced, diced, mashed and roasted 12.3 dinner menus.Potatoes are most oftenbillion pounds of potatoes in 2018 val- foundonAmericanmenusincombouedat$8.1billion,accordingto entrees such as breakfast plates or BBQTechnomic, Inc.Potatoes are one of the platters.largest food categories sold in foodser-vice, and consistently rank among the So, what are the most popular potato dishesUSA Potatoestop dishes. at foodservice? It comes as no surprisethatfriestopthelist,appearingonSo,whatformsaresoldatfoodservice? 69.1% of all menus.In fact, there are aFrozenpotatoesrepresentthelargest plethora of loaded fry options trendingshare of potatoes at 59%, followed by that showcase global flavors, particular-Messagefresh potatoes at 33% and chips, dehy- lyMexican.Inadditiontofries,drated and refrigerated potatoes at 3% mashedpotatoes,potatosalads,hasheach. Within frozen potatoes, fries rep- browns, and baked potatoes are the nextresent 79%, followed by drums/ shaped mostpopularpotatodishesonU.S.potatoesat6%.Wholefreshpotato menus.sales are just over 4 billion pounds withroastedpotatoesrepresentingthetop So what potato dishes are currently trendingpreparationmethodat26%followed onmenus? Loadeddrums,poutine,closely by mashed and baked potatoes at potato drums, hand cut fries, crinkle cut22% and 21%.Mashed potatoes repre- fries, potato rolls and loaded fries.Insentthemajorityshareofdehydrated fact, over the past four years all of thesepotatoes58%,followedbyloosehash menuitemshavegrownover50%inbrowns at 32%.For refrigerated pota- popularity.Interestingly,gluten-freetoes,otherbreakfastpotatoesat28% and vegan are also trending as specialand mashed at 26% represent the main diet callouts on menus.6 POTATO GROWER MAY/JUNE 2019'