Potato News from Washington

As a sixth-generation family farm in Washington’s Skagit Valley, Pioneer Potatoes may be smaller in acreage than many neighbors, but their focus has always been on delivering premium A-size potatoes to top supermarkets and restaurants.

The Washington-Oregon Potato Conference 2026 will once again unite growers, processors, suppliers, and stakeholders. Known as a premier industry event, it offers innovation, insights, and valuable networking opportunities for the potato sector.

En 2025, la superficie sembrada de papa en EE. UU. cayó a su nivel más bajo en más de 70 años, con 369.000 hectáreas, aunque los altos rendimientos previstos mitigarán el impacto en la producción total.

Key Technology (Key), a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group, introduces its COMPASS® belt-fed optical sorter at Pack Expo Las Vegas booth W-1040.

Key Technology (Key) and PPM Technologies (PPM), both members of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group, introduce their new fully-integrated nut processing line.

Lamb Weston faces a $14M class action lawsuit in Washington over unpaid breaks and overtime at its potato processing plants, including a closed Connell french fry facility. Workers seek damages; Lamb Weston denies the claims.

Friehe Farms in Washington’s Upper Columbia River Basin combines teamwork and advanced technology to produce high-quality russet potatoes. Drones, GPS-guided planting, and climate-controlled storage enhance efficiency, while traditional four-year crop rotation helps maintain soil health.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc., a leading global potato supplier, has announced its partnership with Atlas Agro for the procurement of locally produced, green fertilizers. 

In a letter issued to the leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committees, the Co-Chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) expressed their disappointment that specialty crop production – which represents nearly half the farm gate value of American agriculture – is left out of the final year-end economic assistance package negotiated by Congressional leaders.

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. is moving to tear down its french fry plant in Connell, dashing local hopes that another company might take it over and bring fresh industry and jobs to the small city.

When Juan Martinez was in high school, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do in life, but he knew he liked working with his dad on their farm.

In the wake of Lamb Weston’s decision to close its potato processing plant in Connell, McCain Foods is offering career opportunities at its Othello facility to the affected workers.

A new Washington State University-led project will help potato growers safeguard domestic and international markets and maintain high-quality potatoes for consumers around the world.

Hughes Farms from Mount Vernon (Washington / USA) has invested in a new optical potato grading machine: the Elisam GranTorino.

The North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) proudly hosted a comprehensive and insightful webinar on August 19, 2024, titled 'Preparing for a Successful Storage Season.'

Key Technology (Key), a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, introduces their COMPASS® optical sorter for individually quick frozen (IQF) products such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, poultry and meat.

After decades of working together with North American clients, Dutch machine builder Eqraft now opens a branch on American soil.

Washington State's potato farmers are leading the charge in sustainable agriculture. They harness the state's rich resources to produce high-quality crops while preserving the environment for future generations.