To the editor:
I have been buying Maine potatoes since 1968, when I moved to Aroostook County from Waterville. I kept on buying them, whether they were dirty (unwashed) or not, and even kept buying them when they had rot and when the bags contained many real small potatoes. The quality, in my opinion, was not as good as Idaho brand potatoes, but I made sure I still bought Maine potatoes.
Of course, there were bags of potatoes that I could be proud of. Some local farmers are doing a great job of packing a fine product, and I commend them.
In 2004, I was in a grocery store in Virginia and I was pleased to see a large pallet of Maine potatoes labeled U.S. No. 1. I picked up a bag to purchase and, to my disappointment, water ran out of the bag. After checking other bags I realized they were all the same. I then spoke with the produce manager and he said that they had just received them that morning.
When I got back to Presque Isle, I called the Maine Potato Board and expressed my feelings about the display of Maine potatoes. What kind of image did that project to Virginia consumers? To my amazement, the response was: “Well, you should’ve complained to the manager.” What kind of attitude is that for the Maine Potato Board to have? My question to whomever I spoke with was, “What are you going to do about it?” He said to me, “What can I do about it?”
Evidently, those potatoes were shipped in poor condition. Where was the Maine inspector at the time of shipment? I know that a lot can happen between here and the stores, but the attitude of the Maine Potato Board is what bothered me. I left my name and telephone number, but have never heard back from the Maine Potato Board.
I now see a large variety of Idaho potatoes in some Aroostook County stores. It’s a disgrace. I finally broke down and bought a 5 lb. bag of Idaho potatoes. I felt like a traitor to Aroostook farmers.
I’ve also noticed the amount of advertising the Idaho people do on television and in some national chains. In one particular store, the frozen food case has a large variety of Idaho product, but very little of Maine’s.
The Idaho potatoes that I bought from a Presque Isle store were clean and uniform. My wife said to me, “You’ve got to see how little waste there is in these potatoes” as she was peeling a dozen potatoes.
I bought two 50 lb. bags of Maine potatoes at a local store recently and, I have to say, they were very clean and the sizes were quite uniform.
I would like to see the Maine Potato Board study what Idaho, and other states, are doing that the Maine Potato Board is not. It could be that the state of Maine could be helping with subsidies if funding is the problem. The reason I wrote this letter is because I do care about Maine potatoes and Aroostook farmers. I hope that I never again have to buy an Idaho potato.
Ross L. Grenier
Mapleton
