Aristocrat In Burlap
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The campaign to counteract the idea that potatoes are fattening was gaining ground, and it was noted that one national magazine published a diet featuring potatoes on the menu every day.

The subject of repackers' agreements was discussed thoroughly early in 1968, as the Commission members realized that the protection of the trademark and registered ® were of prime importance.

In April 1966, the IP&OC combined promotional programs with the Idaho Eastern-Oregon Onion Committee and the following year, 1967, onions left the Idaho Commission, and it became the Idaho Potato Commission. The similarities in the Eastern Oregon and Idaho onions made a combined advertising campaign advantageous to the producers in both states.

Later in the year, an inventory report of 81 Idaho shippers indicated that 4,788,752 consumer units, 269,406 burlap bags, 129,206 paper masters, and 50-pound bulks and 11,961 cartons were in stock. All containers by this time were required to carry the official Idaho trademark. Advertising was used to stress the fact that only potatoes grown in Idaho could carry the Idaho trademark.

The only exception was the somewhat gray area of Malheur County, which was advertising Idaho-Oregon potatoes using the combined names. This operation involved potatoes grown in Idaho and processed in Oregon and vice versa.

Commissioners participating in the Japan Food Fair in 1969 brought home ideas of exploring the overseas markets. They stressed that stimulation of the Japan market toward potato use would be a distinct advantage for the Idaho processing business. Western influences were very noticeable in Japan and a new food might very well interest the Japanese housewife.

In November of 1969, it was suggested that the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) evaluate the practice of shipping potatoes out of the state in bulk lots. This issue was very hotly contested between growers and shippers as many growers favored it, but most shippers saw it as a threat to their businesses. The discussions continued as the executive secretary of the Idaho Grower Shippers Association said Idaho shippers were worried that they would lose all identity protection.

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