SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Potatoes will always be a staple within my household, and Side Delights^® is seeing that trend across the United States—not just in my own kitchen. Recently sharing the results of its New Year’s Instagram poll, the potato company found that consumers are steering their carts, and dollars, toward the produce aisle.

“Our newest Instagram survey echoes the buzz-worthy 2021 food trends from healthy eating and quick meals to family time and comfort food,” noted Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, parent company of the Side Delights brand. “As our followers confirmed, potatoes are perfect as a healthy, fast, family-pleasing food that tastes great on their own…and with butter!”

According to a press release, the Side Delights Instagram study confirmed that consumers still prefer foods and recipes prepared quickly, with 71 percent voting for meals in 30 minutes or less. While opting for less time in the kitchen, the survey showed that family mealtime is more important than ever, with 62 percent of respondents indicating they want to spend more time eating together in 2021.

Although only 14 percent of voters were interested in weight loss apps, a whopping 86 percent were intrigued by meal programs like Whole30—a program that includes many of our beloved fruits and veggies.

On January 7, the Whole30 program announced the inclusion of all forms of potatoes (except chips and fries) in the New Whole30 Program Rules, stating, “White potatoes are a whole, real, nutrient-dense food!” The webpage features a photo of potatoes with the tagline “Welcome Back, Old Friends.”

Finally, Food & Wine’s 2021 comfort food prediction that “trends will go toward comfort and simplicity due to the pandemic,” lines up with the Side Delights survey results, with 88 percent of voters preferring butter on their potatoes over “naked” spuds.

Regardless of how consumers dress up their potatoes, you can be sure they’ll be adding them to their carts.

Side Delights^®