Keep your eyes peeled for The Big Idaho Potato Truck on America’s highways as the big rig is back promoting Idaho’s most famous agricultural product, the Idaho potato. In just six months, the Truck will log 23,000 miles, stop in more than 60 cities both large and small, and be photographed millions of times by spud lovers across the country. The Truck’s popular “A Big Helping” charitable program will continue to support local non-profits across the country.
“When we launched the Truck six years ago, it was intended to be a one year campaign. Instead, the Truck became an overnight sensation – reminding consumers at every turn to look for the ‘Grown in Idaho’ seal, which is prominently featured on the side of cab,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “We placed several other graphics on the Truck to communicate important key messages such as the Idaho potato’s certification by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy food; the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl logo, the premier cold-weather college football bowl game; Spuddy Buddy, the Idaho potato mascot; and important nutrition facts.”
The Big Idaho potato weighs more than 6 tons (the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho potatoes). After being seen by hundreds of millions of Americans, the most frequently asked question is still, “Is it real?” We’ll never tell…but if it is, the Big Idaho Potato:
- Would make 30,325 servings of mashed potatoes… pass the gravy!
- Could make more than 1.4 million (1,455,570) French fries!
- Would weigh 1,102 times more than the largest potato ever grown, which clocked in at 11 pounds.
To date, the Truck has visited 48 states (all but Hawaii and Alaska), traveled through 5,000+ towns/cities and traveled more than 100,000 miles since its 2012 launch celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the IPC. The Big Idaho Potato Truck was built by Chris and Sharolyn Schofield of Weiser, Idaho with the help of a few specialized contractors. The Truck took a full year to design and build.
The Big Idaho Potato Truck Tour has always had a charitable component to it, and now in its third year, “A Big Helping” is the Truck’s “personal” way of assisting local charities across the country. During its six-month tour, the Truck will work with local charities in the markets they visit to help awareness and funds for their cause. Past recipients have included food banks, children’s hospitals, and animal shelters.
The Truck’s first national appearance is the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA. Other stops throughout the summer include the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC., the Potato Chip Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY, and the NASCAR Pocono Raceway Cup Series. If you can’t see it in person, there are a few other ways to stay connected…
- BigIdahoPotato.com is the Truck’s official website that has a calendar listing all the Truck’s stops.
- Potatotracker.com provides a live feed of the oversized spud, allowing visitors to see where it is any time of day.
- Social media channels will continue to provide spud lovers with direct interaction with the Tater Team, the threesome that travels with the Truck, and the latest news on the tour:
- Facebook: Big Idaho Potato Tour
- Instagram: @bigidahopotato
- Twitter: @bigidahopotato
- Snapchat: bigidahopotato
