EAGLE, Idaho – Retailers can savor the proven success of secondary displays when they enter the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 2020 Idaho® Potato Lover’s Display Contest to compete for more than $150,000 in cash and prizes.
Every participant will also be part of a random drawing to win an $8,800 trip to Rome that includes round trip air for two, six nights/seven days’ accommodations at the four-star Hotel Capo d’Africa next to the Colosseum, a Vatican and museum walking tour, and $1,500 in cash. The sweepstakes winner’s category manager will be saying ciao to the Eternal City too, with his or her own Roman holiday courtesy of the IPC.
Everyone who enters the contest will also receive a free Gourmia ExpressPot with 14 cooking modes plus automatic pressure control and locking. This handy kitchen appliance cooks up to 70 percent faster while retaining more flavor and nutrients in meals—perfect for the busy cook.
“The fabulous prizes this year give every retailer a great incentive to create a customer-pleasing display that capitalizes on the proven value of secondary Idaho potato displays,” says Jamie Bowen, IPC marketing manager. “Our latest research shows that potato sales increase 22 percent with secondary displays of Idaho potatoes—and without cannibalizing other potato sales. That’s a big jump as comparison stores, with no display, experienced a 2.5 percent lift during the same time frame.”
Sugar Foods Corp.’s Fresh Gourmet® company products are making their debut as partners for this year’s contest, offering a variety of tasty toppings that are perfect for perking up Idaho potatoes. Fresh Gourmet’s Parmesan Cheese Crisps, for example, are featured in the potato dish showcased in 2020 contest point-of-sale materials. Retailers can download the IPC recipe for Roasted Idaho® Potatoes with Bacon and Parmesan Crisps here.
“Fresh Gourmet® is proud to partner with Idaho® potatoes to help shoppers tie together ingredients for easy meals. Our products offer natural pairing suggestions, from guacamole and potato skins, to crispy onions and mashed potatoes,” says Cassi Shindelbower, retail marketing director, Sugar Foods Corp. “Our partnership with the Idaho Potato Commission creates a point of inspiration, a reminder for consumers to pick up some of their favorite products, and an opportunity to build the produce basket.”
Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings is once again bringing home the bacon to the retail display contest, with Hormel® Real Crumbled Bacon as a smoky flavor addition to the POS potato dish recipe.
“Hormel Foods is excited to partner once again with the Idaho Potato Commission on its annual display contest,” says Meghan Baumann, brand manager, Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings. “Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings and Idaho potatoes are a great-tasting combination. The display contest is a perfect way to remind consumers that the addition of Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings is a convenient and delicious way to elevate all their favorite Idaho® potato recipes!”
The display contest, which runs from Feb. 1 through March 31, 2020, is an opportunity for retailers of all sizes to boost sales and compete for prizes. Creativity counts most, so smaller displays have the same chance of winning as larger displays do.
To enter the 2020 retail display contest, just build an attractive and memorable display that incorporates fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both) with a clear label showing the Idaho name and the “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a clearly marked Idaho® dehydrated potato product, any variety of Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings, and any variety of Fresh Gourmet® company products. (The display may not include potato products from other states.) IPC 2020 special themed point-of-sale materials must also be used: two double-sided Idaho Potato Lover’s Display Contest logo display signs, one large and two small double-sided signs showing an appetizing photo, and two inflatable Mylar™ IPC-branded balloons. Go to the IPC website for more clip art and recipes.
Retailers will compete with other same-size stores in one of three categories: 1-5 cash registers, 6-9 cash registers, or 10-plus cash registers. Within each store category, entrants are eligible to win these prizes:
- 1st place – $1,500
- 2nd place — $1,000
- 3rd place — $750
- 4th place — $500
- 5th place — $250
- Honorable Mention — $100 (100 selected from remaining entries)
The Category Manager Match Program will award equivalent prizes to corporate category managers for stores that qualify for a 1st through 5th place prize or the sweepstakes trip to Italy.
Idaho Potato Lover’s Display Contest Details
Here’s how to enter the 2020 Idaho Potato Lover’s Display Contest:
1. Using fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both), an Idaho® dehydrated potato product, Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings, and Fresh Gourmet® company products, develop an eye-catching display following the contest rules (available at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail).
2. Put up the display in your store’s produce section for at least one week between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2020.
3. Submit a photo (digital preferred) of the display and an entry form (available at www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail) to the IPC so that it’s received no later than April 15, 2020. Top winners will be notified by May 1, 2020, and all winners will be posted by May 18, 2020, on www.IdahoPotato.com/Retail.
All entries will be judged on a point system based on creativity of the display, incorporation of Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings and Fresh Gourmet® company products, saleability of the display, and Potato Lover’s signage.
About The Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the IPC is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation, and rich volcanic soil give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance. These ideal growing conditions are what differentiates them from potatoes grown in other states. For more information, visit www.idahopotato.com.
