Eagle River, Wis. — A Wisconsin potato could help you eat healthier for the new year. If you're looking for something gluten-free and low in calories, a Wisconsin potato just might be your answer. Experts at the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) say that it's a great companion for any meal.
"Potatoes are America's favorite vegetable, and the fact that they are naturally fat-free, gluten-free, sodium-free and cholesterol-free I think makes them an excellent choice for a meal—breakfast, lunch or dinner," explained WPVGA promotions director Dana Rady. "Potatoes are such an important staple to Wisconsin agriculture; Wisconsin is actually the third-largest potato-producing state across the nation, and a lot of people don't realize that." Nearly 63,000 acres of potatoes were harvested this past season in Wisconsin alone. One local seed potato grower says that Wisconsin accounts for half of his sales.
"Wisconsin is probably 50 percent of our seed sales, but we sell all over the United States and into Canada," said Felix Zeloski Farms general manager Ron Krueger. "We spend our money with local vendors, and between dairy, potatoes and vegetables, the economic benefit to this state is huge."
Certified seed potato producers go through several steps to make sure potatoes are disease-free for certified potato growers. The growers also undergo annual audits to make sure they handle the potatoes with proper food safety training.
Source: WJFW-TV 12