United States Potato Board Launches 'Potatoes Raise the Bar' Program

At the recent School Nutrition Association Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, the United States Potato Board (USPB) unveiled the Potatoes Raise the Bar in-school program. This new program is focused on encouraging kids to eat more fruits and vegetables, including potatoes. In fact, research shows that when potatoes are present at mealtime, kids eat more of other vegetables, too. Furthermore, the U.S. potato industry is committed to putting over 3,000 salad bars in schools across the nation over the next 5 years, as part of the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools program. "We are very excited and proud to bring schools the Potatoes Raise the Bar school nutrition program, which is centered on increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in K-12 schools," says Meredith Myers, the nutrition communications manager for the United States Potato Board. "What we really want to show school foodservice professionals is how potatoes can be integrated on the salad bar or as part of the school lunch line. Potatoes, one of the most popular vegetables with kids, can also entice kids to try other, less familiar vegetables." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 percent of the nation's 60 million school kids don't eat enough vegetables, which means too many of them are missing out on key nutrients important for growth and development. The USPB initiative is important because it could have a long-term impact on children's health and their lifelong food choices. "Schools should include potatoes on their salad bar for a variety of reasons," says Garrett Berdan, chef and registered dietitian for the United States Potato Board. "Potatoes are really versatile and a perfect canvas for the flavors that kids love. And because they're a nutrition powerhouse, they're a great addition to salad bars and school lunch and breakfast menus." Whether served mashed, roasted, baked, on a themed salad bar or as a side, potatoes are a nutrient-dense vegetable. USPB officials say that one medium, skin-on potato offers: -620 mg of potassium of 18% of the daily value -Only 110 calories -3g of protein per medium potato -No fat, sodium, cholesterol or gluten