Potatoes & Your Menu

Potatoes: A Perennial Favorite Potatoes are “the most commonly consumed vegetable in the United States,” according to WebMD (2020). In fact, the average American consumes 49.2 pounds of potatoes every year, likely because potatoes are Americans’ favorite side dish when eating out (Potatoes USA, 2022). So, what makes them so appealing? A foodservice customer survey by Datassentials found that while most potatoes are ordered at breakfast (77.8%), they actually have an all-day menu appeal. Their findings also indicated that customers would spend more for a meal with potatoes because “they believed potatoes benefit their dining experience and satisfy a particular craving”. It doesn’t stop there… while you may first think of potatoes as a tasty side, this humble spud also packs a lot in the way of nutrition!   The Power of Potato Nutrition Many consumers are unaware that potatoes are a source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. For example, Potatoes USA notes that one 5.3-oz potato has more potassium than a medium banana. Furthermore, “potassium is a major mineral that plays a number of important roles in the body. Most notably, it is a key electrolyte that helps maintain the delicate balance of fluid inside and outside the cell”. (Potatoes USA, Your Guide to Potato Nutrition)   Ready to learn more with Michael Foods Continuing Education (CE) Courses? Check out our Michael Foods Potato & Your Menu CE Course to examine the nutritional benefits of potatoes, consumer sentiment for potatoes, potato culinary concepts, and other potato foodservice menu trends that will help an operator achieve success with this economical and nutritional ingredient. Complete this free, online CE course now and earn 1 hour of CPEU! Explore this topic along with even more Continuing Education courses on our resources page.   Source: Michael Foods, Potatoes & Your Menu, online continuing education course, 2024