BANCROFT, WI - With warmer weather comes summer eating occasions, and retailers should be prepping for events like the Fourth of July. According to RPE, potatoes are one category that should be front and center.

“Get ready to spud-tacularly elevate your promotions and planograms this summer with help from America’s favorite vegetable—the potato—and RPE! From backyard BBQs to campfire cookouts, potatoes are the MVP of summertime outdoor cooking adventures. They’re versatile, delicious, and oh-so-easy to prepare,“ Rachel Atkinson-Leach, Vice President of Brand and Category Excellence, told me.

RPE can supply the potatoes every retail shelf needs to keep the summer sizzling. Supplies of Russets, yellows, micro trays with special shippers, and baby potatoes in all colors and sizes will be available. And back just in time for the Fourth of July is the crowd favorite, American Blend.

Russet and yellow potatoes and Tasteful Selections’ bite-size potatoes in all colors and sizes will be sales drivers all summer long, Rachel explained. For Memorial Day, RPE suggested Tasteful Selections Griller Shipper Micro Tray Combo, which was perfect for cross-merchandising near burgers or proteins for the grill and stocked with American Chophouse and Garlic Parmesan flavors.

From the Fourth of July through Labor Day, retailers should take advantage of Tasteful Selections 24 oz and 3 lb American Blend. This exclusive, limited-time offering will pair perfectly with red, white, and blue balloons or accents to catch shoppers’ attention. In 2023, retailers featuring Tasteful Selections American-themed items between Memorial Day and Labor Day saw a 10 percent increase in bite-size potato sales, on average.

“Tasteful Selections continues to innovate: adding new flavors to its micro tray lineup while maintaining the everyday favorites; introducing new packaging sizes to meet the evolving needs of retailers and consumers; and offering an array of baby potato types and varieties in flavors and sizes to meet consumers’ meal-time aspirations,” Rachel continued.

Recipes to promote for these potatoes include:

• Smoked Twice Baked Russet Potatoes
• Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Potato Salad with American Blend
• Crispy Potato Omelet with chorizo, cheese, and green onion
• Fried One-Bites with chimichurri and grilled carne asada
• Potato, Pepper, Onion, and Sausage Foil Packs with tangy mustard sauce

“Potatoes can elevate summer outdoor cooking with their convenience, versatility, and mouthwatering deliciousness. There is no preparation needed for bite-sized potatoes as they can be cooked whole. Plus, micro tray products allow consumers to prep and serve in the tray,” Rachel added. “From the classic stay-cation, camping, or hiking to festivals and park days, potatoes can be prepared in many ways: BBQ grill, smoker, outdoor griddle, open fire, outdoor deep fryer, air fryer, etc. Potatoes fit in with your favorite summer activities and your favorite foods!”

The possibilities are endless! For more potato updates and tips, stick around with ANUK.