BOISE, ID - Nothing like some friendly competition to get the football season started. Idaho® potatoes and Shuman Farms sweet onions duked it out at the first-ever Rooted Rivalry: Onions vs. Potatoes tailgate held at Georgia Southern’s Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, on Saturday, August 31, 2024.

“It was a first-time meeting on the football field for Georgia Southern and Boise State, but sharing a tailgate spread is a time honored tradition for sweet onions and Idaho potatoes,” said John Shuman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Shuman Farms. “Sharing delicious food and engaging with fans on how to include fresh produce in their game day dishes is a win all around.”

It was hard to miss the Rooted Rivalry tailgate with the Big Idaho Potato Truck and Shuman Farms’ Giant Sweet Onion parked at the entrance to Paulson Stadium, shared a press release. Both Georgia Southern Eagles and Boise State Broncos fans snapped photos with Spuddy Buddy, snacked on delicious Idaho potato chips and Shuman Farms sweet onion dip, and played games to win sweet onion or potato swag.

The Big Idaho Potato Truck made several stops around Statesboro, including the grand opening of Texas Roadhouse and Food Lion, where in partnership with the grocer, the Truck’s Big Helping Charity donated $1,000 to the Friendship Baptist Church Food Bank in Statesboro. For every signature received on the truck’s signature board, $1 is earned for a charity chosen by the store, and The Big Helping board received 1,000 signatures from shoppers throughout the day.

“When you combine two amazing college football teams like Boise State and Georgia Southern playing for the first time and a tailgate taste-off between Idaho potatoes and sweet onions, you get the Rooted Rivalry, a 'mash' made in heaven,” said Jamey Higham, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Idaho Potato Commission. “We’re always looking for unique and engaging opportunities to promote Idaho potatoes and this checked all of the boxes.”

Great to hear about this fun collaboration that also led to a generous donation!

Keep clicking back to ANUK for more exciting mashups and partnerships.