Idaho Potato Commission Gears Up for Bowl Game
When the Utah State Aggies and the University of Ohio Bobcats go head to head in the inaugural Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, there will be no question that the Idaho Potato Commission is sponsoring the “spudtacular” showdown.
“The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase Idaho potatoes, the state's top agricultural export, to millions of football fans and consumers around the country,” said Frank Muir, president and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission. “In addition to generating media coverage of the game itself, we've been able to leverage our sponsorship to communicate the versatility and nutritional value of Idaho potatoes and remind folks to always looks for the famous ‘Grown in Idaho’ seal.”
In the tradition of the Humanitarian Bowl (the former name of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl), many events during game week will raise funds and awareness for local charities, including the United Way, Optimist Youth Football, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boise School District, Treasure Valley YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts and Armed Forces personnel. In addition, the Idaho Grower Shippers Association will donate three potatoes to the Idaho Foodbank’s Eastern Idaho branch for each fan attending the game. With more than 28,000 fans expected, the donation could total 84,000 potatoes, or 42,000 pounds.
Among other highlights will be the debut of the Great Big Idaho Potato Truck, which IPC describes as “the largest potato on wheels.” Weighing in at more than 12,000 pounds, the 48-foot long, 12-foot wide and 11.5-foot tall Great Big Idaho Potato will travel across the country next year visiting customers, stopping by trade shows and meeting millions of Idaho potato fans along the way. In celebration of the IPC’s 75th anniversary, the truck will help raise awareness and funds for the Meals on Wheels Association of America.
To help consumers around the country embrace the spirit of this cold-weather game, the IPC initiated the following:
- Sweepstakes: Offered on IPC’s Facebook page, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Getaway awarded one winner two tickets to the game, hotel accommodations in Boise for two nights, round-trip airfare and $400 spending cash.
- Celebrity support: Culinary icon Mr. Food recorded one of his television vignettes on the blue turf at Bronco Stadium with Frank Muir. During the show, Mr. Food demonstrates how to prepare Idaho Potato Spinach Balls, made with spinach and pepper jack cheese. The segment will air during game week on 125 stations and reach more than 5 million viewers.
- Idahopotato.com: The IPC created a special tailgating page on its website featuring recipes for football fans.
As part of its sponsorship package, the IPC will receive extensive recognition during the game and throughout the stadium, including prominent signage; print, radio and TV ads; public address mentions during the game; and logos on the field.
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be broadcast nationally on ESPN on Saturday, Dec. 17.
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho-grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research.