History of Potatoes – Summertime Potato Company (2024)

FAQs

Who brought potatoes to the United States? ›

Potatoes in the United States

The first permanent potato patches in North America were established in 1719, most likely near Londonderry (Derry), NH, by Scotch-Irish immigrants. From there, the crop spread across the country.

There are lots of countries that grow a tremendous number of potatoes, but China is responsible for more potatoes than any other country in the world. Typically, China produces close to 92 million metric tons of potatoes every year.

They are grown commercially in 30 states, but Idaho grows more potatoes than any other state, followed by Washington. North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Colorado are also leading producers of potatoes.

Potatoes prefer soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 and low salinity. However, in practice potatoes are grown in soil pH's from 4.5 to 8.5 and this has a distinct impact on the availability of certain nutrients. Extreme soil pHs should be adjusted where it is practical to do so.

The potato (/pəˈteɪtoʊ/) is a starchy root vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Potato cultivars appear in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. We call them Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500's and developed as a crop there. The Irish immigrants brought the culture of potato to the United States.

Company Description

R.D. Offutt Company and affiliates is the largest potato grower in the United States, operating farms in seven states. In excess of 50,000 acres of potatoes are grown annually for the frozen processing and fresh markets.

Idaho is termed as the largest producer of potatoes in the USA. The state, on average, produces around 134,850 centum weight (cwt) of potatoes every year. It is known as the state vegetable and has a high consumption rate in Idaho. Idaho is known to grow two major varieties of potatoes, known as Burbanks and Russets.

And the clear winners are Idaho or russet potatoes.

These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying. You should avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes.

What is so special about Idaho potatoes? ›

So why are Idaho® potatoes so much better than the rest? Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, combined with plenty of mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, produce the unique texture, taste, and dependable performance that keep customers asking for more.

The amount of Epsom salt you should apply to your potato crop depends on several factors, such as soil magnesium content, potato variety, and growing conditions. However, as a general rule, 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water is a safe and effective dosage for most potato varieties.

Ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) is the most commonly used liquid P fertilizer and is suitable for banded application in potatoes. A variety of related liquid products are available and suitable, although they have lower P contents. Orthophosphate P, as found in MAP and DAP, is the form of P taken up by plants.

The best planting time is February. But I think of potatoes as having two seasons here — one is August into early September for a late fall or early winter harvest, and the other is February for a late spring harvest.

North America

Early colonists in Virginia and the Carolinas may have grown potatoes from seeds or tubers from Spanish ships. Still, the earliest certain potato crop in North America was brought to New Hampshire in 1719 from Derry. The plants were from Ireland, so the crop became known as the "Irish potato".

About 1000 years ago, as Indian people migrated north to the eastern woodlands of present day North America, they brought corn with them. When Europeans like Columbus made contact with people living in North and South America, corn was a major part of the diet of most native people.

Thomas Herriot, an astronomer, mathematician, ethnographer and translator, is credited with first introducing the potato into England from Colombia in South America on December 3rd, 1586. It was a fateful event. The potato was a richer food source than grain.

United States imports Potatoes primarily from: Canada ($408M), Spain ($1.41M), Colombia ($430k), Ecuador ($50.7k), and Thailand ($38.5k). The fastest growing import markets in Potatoes for United States between 2021 and 2022 were Canada ($130M), Spain ($1.41M), and Colombia ($145k).