WPVGA Introduces Interactive Trade Website

As a way to provide a more informative, interactive online experience for retailers, restaurateurs, foodservice companies and agricultural industry members, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has redesigned and launched www.wisconsinpotatoes.com. The trade-oriented site contains content devoted to such core industry issues as sustainable farming, agricultural research, marketing tools, legislative initiatives, consumer preferences and evolving foodservice trends.

“Good information is a precious commodity,” said Tim Feit, director of oromotions and consumer education for the Antigo-based association. “Everyone in the industry benefits if we share what we know -- whether it’s the latest advances in storage techniques or the potential impact of federal legislation on school lunch offerings. The Wisconsin potatoes website is meant to foster collaboration. We invite industry members to utilize our marketing tools, research and news. And we welcome their input.”

Site features include:

• A library of free POP, consumer research reports, recipe tearpads, merchandising tips and packaging options
• Comprehensive shipper, brand and WPVGA directories with links to grower profiles and member websites
• A “Sustainable Potatoes” section consisting of Wisconsin’s “Healthy Grown” potato growers, integrated pest management, eco-conservation, collaborative research with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Healthy Grown Shippers Directory and free Healthy Grown POP
• A research-focused industry blogroll, and an RSS feed offering the latest industry news, advances in integrated pest management, crop updates, relevant legislation, advances in agricultural research, innovative storage techniques, and sustainable farming in Wisconsin
• Feature interviews from the Badger Common’Tater, a well-regarded agricultural publication
• An exhaustive recipe database with award-winning consumer recipes, the Win with Wisconsin Potatoes consumer recipe contest, and dishes from noted Wisconsin chefs
• An interactive events calendar

WPVGA provides grower education, government support, environmentally sound research and consumer education for 150 grower organizations across the state, as well as being responsible for expanding the Wisconsin potato markets via advertising, promotion and research. The trade group also supports the Wisconsin Healthy Grown initiative, which comprises reduced-pesticide, integrated pest management and sustainable farming practices overseen by Protected Harvest, an independent oversight organization.