WPVGA Warms Up Winter With Potato Recipe Contest

In time for winter, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has introduced the Warm Up with Wisconsin Potatoes Recipe Contest, which solicits consumers’ favorite hearty soup and stew recipes featuring Wisconsin potatoes.

To enter, people can visit the WPVGA Warm Up with Wisconsin Potatoes Recipe Contest webpage and download their recipes. The contest runs through Dec. 7, and winners will be revealed on Jan. 10, 2012. The first-prize winner will receive $150 gift card from his or her favorite grocery store, the second-place finisher will get a $100 gift card, and the third-place winner will receive a $50 gift card.

“Wisconsin winters are long, long, long,” said Tim Feit, director of promotions and consumer education for the Antigo-based WPVGA. “The good news is, people stay very active in the winter -- they really take advantage of the season in the North Woods. When you come in from a long day outside in frigid temperatures, you are famished, so we thought it’d be fun to sponsor a contest where people share their best warm-you-up recipes. Whether you live in Florida or Maine, you can appreciate a great soup or stew, so we’re focusing on those winter comfort foods.”

In early January, the WPVGA will provide grocers with free downloadable recipe tearpads of the first-place Warm Up with Wisconsin Potatoes recipe. The association’s industry website, www.wisconsinpotatoes.com, also offers a diverse selection of free point-of-purchase materials.

In other association contest news, the third Win with Wisconsin Potatoes contest is set to launch Feb. 27, 2012.