09/28/05 IPC pushes the nutrition message

The Idaho Potato Commission has unveiled a new television advertising campaign featuring a familiar figure. Fitness guru Denise Austin once again is the official spokesman for the ad campaign set to start this fall in the eastern US. Idaho Potato Commission CEO Frank Muir says Austin is perfect for the job. MUIR "We're tying her in with the new USDA 'My Pyramid ' which she actually helped introduce by introducing the new physical fitness element of the nutritional guidance program from the USDA." The old food pyramid was used in a prior Idaho potato commercial so Muir said it was a natural to use the new pyramid to tout the nutritional benefits of potatoes. MUIR "And that new commercial features Denise actually walking on a huge new pyramid that clearly demonstrates the value and importance of Idaho potatoes as part of your diet." After years of decline, thanks in part to diet plans that have come and gone, the demand for potatoes is up again. Fresh Idaho potato sales last year were up by 600 thousand sacks and Muir says this year's demand is running ahead of last year with a smaller crop in 2005. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott