EAGLE, ID – It’s always summer in sun-drenched Key West, Florida, where a seven-day resort getaway for two awaits the winner of the Idaho Potato Commission’s 2022 Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest sweepstakes.
Overlooking more than 1,100 feet of beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests, Casa Marina blends old Key West elegance with Waldorf Astoria luxury: indoor and outdoor pampering spa treatments, delectable dining options, world-class water sports and more are on tap at the resort. The Idaho® Potato Lovers sweepstakes winner, who will be selected in a random drawing, will receive roundtrip airfare for two to Casa Marina, seven days’/six nights’ accommodations, a meal allowance of up to $300 per day including taxes and fees, and $200 for ground transportation. A second Casa Marina vacation package will also be awarded to the sweepstakes winner’s category manager.
But everyone who enters the 31st annual Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest is already a winner, says Jamie Bowen, IPC director of marketing, because secondary Idaho® potato displays boost sales up to 22 percent.
“Our IPC research shows test stores that put up secondary displays of Idaho russets delivered a nearly 10 times growth advantage,” says Bowen. “The comparison stores with no secondary display, on the other hand, achieved an average category growth of only 2.5 percent. The Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest is the perfect opportunity for retailers to creatively maximize their spud sales during a traditionally slower time of year. It’s a win-win!”
In addition to offering more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, the IPC will award an Idaho® potato Manchurian ash six-piece steak knife set to each retail display competition entrant. The oversized steakhouse knives, crafted from durable stainless steel with sharp serrated edges on the blades, are packaged in a wood grain storage box with a silver accent chest latch. The rich Manchurian ash handles, secured to a full tang with triple rivets, are contoured for a secure, comfortable grip.
Retailers can take advantage of bacon’s smokin’ hot popularity by promoting contest partner Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings in their Idaho® potato displays.
“Hormel® Foods is excited to partner once again with the Idaho Potato Commission on its annual display contest. Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings and Idaho® potatoes are a great-tasting combination,” says Meghan Baumann, brand manager for Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings. “The display contest is a perfect way to inspire consumers. It reminds them that the addition of Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings is a convenient and delicious way to elevate all their favorite Idaho® potato recipes!”
Time-crunched shoppers can perk up their favorite potato dishes with Fresh Gourmet® Crispy Veggies, which is also partnering with the IPC for the retail display contest.
“Fresh Gourmet® Crispy Veggies make every meal a treat, and when paired with Idaho® potatoes, they are truly irresistible,” says Minal Thakkar, marketing specialist for Fresh Gourmet Company. “As a third-year contest partner, we are excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm put forward by our retail partners to grow customers’ engagement in store and inspire shoppers to pair their favorite products to build the best produce basket.”
The Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest runs from Feb. 1 through April 15, 2022. Don’t forget that smaller displays have just as many opportunities to win as larger displays do—it’s creativity that counts.
To enter the 2022 retail display contest, 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® Crispy Veggies. (The display may not include potato products from other states). IPC 2022 special themed point-of-sale materials must also be used: two double-sided Idaho® Potato Lovers logo display signs, one large and two small double-sided signs showing an appetizing photo, and two inflatable Mylar™ Idaho® potato-branded balloons. Go to the IPC website for more clip art and recipes: idahopotato.com/retail.
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 Florida.
Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest Details
Here’s how to enter the 2022 Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest:
1. Using fresh Idaho® potatoes (bag, bulk or both), an Idaho® dehydrated potato product, Hormel® Real Bacon Toppings, and Fresh Gourmet® Crispy Veggies, develop an eye-catching display following the contest rules (available at idahopotato.com/retail).
2. Put up the display in your store’s produce section for at least one week between Feb. 1 and April 15, 2022.
3. Submit up to five photos of the display (taken with a good camera on its highest-quality photo setting) and an entry form (available at idahopotato.com/retail) to the IPC so that it’s received no later than April 15, 2022. Top winners will be notified by May 15, 2022, and all winners will be posted by June 15, 2022, on 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® Crispy Veggies, salability of the display, and Idaho® Potato Lovers Display Contest signage.
The IPC is also sponsoring a separate display contest for military commissaries, with prizes awarded by sales band group. Displays compete for two 1st place prizes per group ($300 in commissary gift cards and a trophy) and two 2nd place prizes per group ($150 in commissary gift cards and a trophy). To enter, commissaries must have displays in place from Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 2022, and submit their photos to producepromotions@deca.mil.
About The Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (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.
