WISCONSIN - If you’re not already spotlighting the potato category as a premium destination for back-to-school shopping, now is the time to do so! The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association recently shared some insights from registered dietitian Jenny Heap, revealing multiple benefits of potatoes.

“For most families, back-to-school sales forecast the end of summer break and the beginning of a new academic year,” Jenny Heap, MS, RDN, shared. “As students return to the classroom, they can face the demanding challenge of balancing schedules, staying alert, and focusing on their studies. Wisconsin-grown potatoes provide essential vitamins and minerals—like potassium, vitamin C, and fiber—for the sustained energy and mental sharpness students need. Incorporating the potato—a nutrient powerhouse—in meals and/or snacks can set students up for success in and out of the classroom!”

Heap highlighted several nutritional benefits of potatoes, noting their ability to support students’ energy and mental agility during the school day. As Heap shared in a release, one serving of potatoes a day supplies:

• 26 g of complex carbohydrates
• 2 g of fiber
• 3 g of plant protein
• 1.1 mg of iron
• 620 mg of potassium
• 20 mg of vitamin C
• 0.2 mg of vitamin B6

“Potatoes, proudly grown in Wisconsin, are a nutrient-rich source of energy for active brains and bodies,” Heap added. “Potatoes provide several nutrients essential for early-life development that fuel kids’ academic and physical performance. The combination of quality complex carbohydrates, fiber, and protein in potatoes helps sustain fullness to help kids stay focused and energized throughout the day.”

With the back-to-school season officially underway, retailers can further elevate the potato sector as a prime category for younger consumers gearing up for class.

“Whether baked, grilled, or mashed—Wisconsin-grown potatoes can be a powerhouse of nutrition for fueling kids’ minds and bodies as they hit the books, lace up their sneakers, and head back to school,” Heap concluded. “Families can be assured that their student is fueled with the nutrients they need—all thanks to the potato!”

To learn more about potato nutrition and Wisconsin-grown potatoes, click here.

AndNowUKnow will continue our coverage of the latest across the industry, so stay tuned.