NPC's ‘Spud Nation’ report reveals potato supply chain drove $100.9 billion in U.S. economic activity, supported more than 714,000 jobs, and contributed $34 billion in wages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2023
Contact: mark.szymanski@evocatillc.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Evocati PR client, The National Potato Council (NPC) today announced the release of "Measuring the Economic Significance of the U.S. Potato Industry," a comprehensive analysis on the domestic economic impact of potatoes. The analysis, authored by economists from Michigan State University, marks a groundbreaking comprehensive assessment on the national economic contribution of America’s favorite vegetable. Highlights and a link to the report can be found at nationalpotatocouncil.org/spudnation. 

According to the report, the U.S. potato sector is a driving force of America's economic prosperity, with an estimated contribution of $100.9 billion in 2021. The U.S. potato sector is also responsible for generating an estimated 714,000 domestic jobs and providing wages of $34.1 billion annually to those employed along its supply chain. An impressive 0.4% of the entire U.S. workforce relies on the potato industry for their livelihoods, contributing $53 million towards annual GDP growth.

“Not only are potatoes an essential and healthy component in our diet, but now we can say unequivocally that they are vital to the American economy,” said RJ Andrus, from TBR Farm in Idaho Fall, Idaho, and the incoming President of the National Potato Council. “Potatoes are an essential component to our prosperity as a nation, built and sustained by America’s potato growers, who put people to work in every city and town across our great country. Today’s report cements the fact that potatoes are America’s favorite vegetable with value.”

Evocati PR client NPC is the voice of U.S. potato growers and industry members in our nation’s capital. NPC protects potato growers’ interests in Washington, D.C. by addressing issues that affect the potato industry, from policy issues debated in Congress to regulatory issues proposed by federal agencies. 

To learn more about the report, and read the full release by NPC, please visit here.

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About the National Potato Council

The National Potato Council represents the interests of U.S. potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental and trade issues. The annual farm gate value of U.S. potato production is over $4.5 billion, delivering more than $100 billion in U.S. economic activity throughout the potato supply chain. The industry supports more than 714,000 American workers, both directly and indirectly. Learn more at nationalpotatocouncil.org.

About Evocati Public Relations

Founded in 2018, Evocati Public Relations partners with leading businesses to research, market, and grow their impact through purpose-driven public relations. Its mission is to empower any business with a cost-efficient means to communicate, activate, and inspire underrepresented and underserved communities. Evocati PR is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that operates in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Learn more at evocatillc.com.