Co-op forms to grow organic potatoes

TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Following a Potato Growers of Idaho meeting, a small group met to discuss forming a co-op to grow organic Idaho Potatoes.

Seth Pemsler of the commission said the food market — including potato chip manufacturers — is expanding to include organic products.

“The market is there,” he said. “The challenge is you have to be able to walk in and say: ‘I can supply you.’ “

California, Oregon and Washington are producing organics on a fairly large scale, and Idaho could be a leader in organic potato production, said Keith Esplin, executive director of Potato Growers of Idaho.

Conventional markets have been declining, he said.