May/June 2020 - 6

TAKING STOCK
EDITOR'S LETTER
Office 616-887-9008
#EssentialAg
Zeke Jennings
Managing Editor
COVID-19. The coronavirus.
However you choose to describe it, none of us will ever forget the
experience we've been living through these past
weeks - actually months, at this point - and will
continue to deal with for who knows how long.
Many businesses have been determined to
be nonessential and instructed to shutter their
doors; their employees, told to stay home.
Not so for farms. Agriculture is essential,
government
officials quickly determined. Yes,
indeed.
The National Potato Council started a
#EssentialAg social media campaign, where potato growers are
encouraged to send in a photo and a little info on their farm history,
which usually includes several generations. It has been enjoyable. I have
seen familiar faces of people I've met over the past 18 months. I've seen
some faces and names I am not familiar with, but hope to be soon.
Agriculture is essential because our food supply cannot stop, or
even pause. Growers will continue to grow.
Has the food supply chain and the way it functions, which is
designed based on consumer trends, been disrupted? Yes, greatly. In
2019, nearly 60% of U.S.-grown potatoes went to processing. Much
of that goes to frozen fry makers, who supply QSRs, hotels and
countless sit-down restaurant chains. There are more Americans
than there ever have been, and Americans eat out at a higher rate
than they ever have.
Being told to stay home had people - many of whom eat out or
take out more often than they cook - scurrying to the grocery store
to stock up. Fresh potato sales spiked, as did retail sales of dehydrated,
frozen and canned potato products.
In no way can the loss of foodservice sales be made up in retail,
however.
On Page 14, you'll find an in-depth story on how the COVID-19
situation has backed up the supply chain left from the 2019 crop
and thrown 2020 acres into flux. It's a fluid situation that won't be
resolved for months. If proper measures aren't taken by the federal
government, some farms may not survive.
Step 1 came in the form of the USDA's $19 billion Coronavirus Food
Assistance Program, announced April 17, that will include $2.1 billion
for specialty crop producers. NPC CEO Kam Quarles called it a " down
payment " and was optimistic more assistance is coming as we get a
better grasp on the damage.
Let's hope so. After all, ag is essential!
6
Spudman.com
Managing Editor Zeke Jennings, 616-520-2159
zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
Contributing Editors Gary Pullano, 616-520-2144
Stephen Kloosterman, 616-520-2152
Multimedia Designer Greg Ryan, 616-520-2145
spudproduction@spudman.com
Production Assistant Samantha Orsi, 616-520-2148
sorsi@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Board
Randy Hardy, Oakley Farms, Oakley, Idaho
Don Sklarczyk, Sklarczyk Seed Farms, Johannesburg, Mich.
Harry Strohauer, Strohauer Farms, La Salle, Colo.
Robert Thornton, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
Integrated Marketing Andrea Schafer, 616-520-2139
Consultant spudmanads@spudman.com
Editorial Director Tim Hodson, 616-520-2161
thodson@greatamericanpublish.com
Creative Director Kristina Howell, 616-520-2168
khowell@greatamericanpublish.com
Group Marketing Director Melissa Gray, 616-520-2153
mgray@greatamericanpublish.com
Custom Content Manager Jess Schmidt, 616-520-2141
jschmidt@greatamericanpublish.com
Circulation Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
circulation@spudman.com
Vice President/Group Gerry Bogdon
Publisher gbogdon@greatamericanpublish.com
CFO & Director of Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
Human Resources dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
COO & Director of Kimberly Baker
Custom Media kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
CEO Matt McCallum
publisher@spudman.com
The Magazine: Editorial and advertising offices at Great American
Publishing, P.O. Box 128, Sparta, MI 49345, Phone: 616-887-9008
Fax: 616-887-2666
SPUDMAN volume 58 number 5 (ISSN 0038-8661) is printed 8 times a
year in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec by Great
American Publishing, 75 Applewood Drive - Suite A, Sparta, MI 49345.
Periodical postage paid at Sparta, MI 49345 and additional mailing office.
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and
advertisers in Spudman do not necessarily reflect those of the
editors and publisher. Appearance in Spudman does not constitute
endorsement by Great American Media Services or Spudman of the
advertiser, its products, or services. Great American Media Services
and Spudman accept no responsibility of liability for the validity or
accuracy of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers,
or advertising agencies. Great American Media Services and Spudman
do not make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity
of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers or
advertising agencies. Copyright 2020.
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are free to qualified U.S. potato
growers. Canada: $56 per year U.S. funds. International: $100 per year
U.S. funds. Single copy and back issues: $6
Postmaster: Please send address changes and corrections to: Great
American Publishing, PO Box 318, Lincolnshire IL 60069
Reprints: Permission is granted for reprinting material, except for
commercial or advertising purposes, providing Spudman is given full
credit. Call 616-887-9008 regarding reprint information.
http://www.Spudman.com
May/June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2020
