11/25/05 Pasco woman parades with Mr. Potato Head

11/25/05 Pasco woman parades with Mr. Potato Head

Farm and Ranch November 25, 2005 A normal Thanksgiving for Alissa Schneider of Pasco, Washington would have had her mashing mounds of potatoes with her family. But yesterday Alissa was with 18 other potato industry representatives helping handle the Healthy Mr. Potato Head balloon through the streets of New York and chanting "Potato Power" in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Alissa, who comes from a potato raising family, successfully competed for two expense paid trips to the East Coast as balloon anchor and potato ambassador. It was a contest organized by the Washington State Potato Foundation and funded by the Washington State Potato Commission and the US Potato Board. Alissa has not only learned balloon handling skills but the nutritional value of potatoes. Alissa: "I learned they have more potassium than a banana. They have a lot of vitamin C. I just kind of learned about the Healthy Mr. Potato Head campaign. What they are focusing on is reminding Americans about the importance of a balanced diet and a fit lifestyle." And based on Alissa's description of him, the Healthy Mr. Potato Head fits that bill. Alissa: "He has baseball cap on and he is carrying a water bottle and he has his tennis shoes on. He is ready to exercise." In addition to his parade appearance, the studly stud will appear on retail packaging, point of sale materials and consumer media as part of the US Potato Board's three-year Healthy Mr. Potato Head nutrition campaign. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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