y the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), 97% of Americans said they eat potatoes and more than 81% enjoy them as a side dish, snack or main course on average of three days per week.“The Idaho Potato Commission's marketing programs have one main objective – to increase Idaho® potato consumption nationwide,” explained Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. “We were thrilled with the survey results, which found consumer attitudes toward potatoes shifting. America’s favourite vegetable is now consumed three times a week, up from two times per week in 2009.”
Other “eye-opening” survey results:
• 97% of Americans eat potatoes.
• Over four in five (81%) sit down with a plate of potatoes once a week.
• More men than women (84% vs. 78%) eat potatoes once a week.
• Midwesterners are more likely than those in other regions of the country to eat potatoes at least once a week (88% vs. 78%).
Popular Preparations:
• Baked (29%)
• Mashed (25%)
• French fries (17%)
• Hash browns (9%)
• Potato chips (5%)
Baked potatoes are favoured more by those who are 45+ than by 18-44 year-olds (36% vs. 23%). More 18-44 year-olds than those who are 45+ prefer French fries (21% vs. 12%).
When asked which vegetable you crave most, potatoes were the clear winner. Nearly one quarter (24%) of the Americans chose spuds, followed by leafy greens such as lettuce, kale or spinach (20%), broccoli (14%), tomatoes (13%) or corn (11%).
Despite the growing "buy local" movement, 72% of Americans would eat Idaho® potatoes over potatoes from other states.
