The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) is embarking on a new opportunity as it relates to the Healthy Grown program thanks to the award of a Buy Local Buy Wisconsin grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
The grant is a natural fit for the Healthy Grown program, which helps set Wisconsin apart as the “leader in sustainable potato production.” Established in 2000, the program utilizes growing practices that are beneficial and ecologically sound. The grant focuses on three primary goals for WPVGA to achieve over the course of the next year, namely, to expand the distribution of Healthy Grown growers, to increase Healthy Grown potato acreage, and to increase the sales volume of Healthy Grown potatoes sold in local Wisconsin communities.
“I’m pleased to say that with the new growers who have decided to come on board with the Healthy Grown program for this year, we have already met the first goal,” says Dana Rady, director of promotions at WPVGA. “We also plan on working with as many retail chains as possible in this initiative and expanding this program even farther.”
WPVGA intends to conduct in-store promotions in various markets across the state by featuring quarter-sized bins and Kwik Lok tags with information about Healthy Grown. The Wisconsin Spudmobile will also make appearances at retail stores and other various events to help increase sales.
It’s an effort that will continue to advance Wisconsin and the potato industry while also encouraging consumers to buy local and buy Wisconsin.