National Potato Day

Hashbrowns, French fries, potato chips, baked or mashed potatoes…honor one of the most versatile and tasty tubers, the potato, by incorporating it into every dish.

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Drive August sales and engagement by celebrating potato versatility across meal occasions—from breakfast hash browns to dinner sides—with recipe content and in-store promotions.

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Share creative potato recipes (hash browns, fries, chips, mashed) across breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Partner with food brands to showcase potato-based products with limited-time August discounts
User-generated content campaign: #PotatoDay featuring customer potato dishes and meal prep ideas
Highlight potato nutrition and sustainability as a staple crop with educational content

History

Potatoes were first cultivated by man in Southern Peru and the Northwest regions of Bolivia sometime between 5000 and 8000 BC.

From that point forward it has spread all over the globe to become one of the primary staple crops of many cultures.

Potatoes are a favorite part of American cuisine, with millions of different forms of preparation to be found. Potatoes are even used to make bread, rolls, and pancakes, and as such can be found in every meal of the day.

For a time, Ireland was so reliant on the potato as a food crop that a potato plague managed to starve the entire country.

Make no mistake, there was plenty of food being grown in Ireland at the time, 5 ships full a day were being sailed out of the country, but the people of Ireland were being drained dry by the English who ruled them that potatoes and cabbage were all they had to live on.

The Russians, on the other hand, discovered quite a different use for the potato. Are you a fan of vodka? Good news! Good Russian Vodka is actually a distillation of potato, and the name vodka means “Little Water”, a clear indicator of its importance in Russia.

Today, the humble potato is the fifth most crop worldwide, coming in after wheat, corn, rice, and sugar cane, as measured by total calories cultivated.

Interestingly, the potato was something of a curiosity in Europe at the start of the 18th century. Merchants had only just begun bringing it from South America and experimenting with it as a type of food. Most people, including those living in Ireland, had never seen anything like it before.

The humble potato, however, soon took off in popularity. The way the plant grows makes it inherently more productive than grains – the crop that historically provided the vast bulk of the average person’s calories. Grass crops tend to become tall and fall over when the berries on top get too heavy.

Potatoes, though carry on growing, regardless of the size and shape of the plant on top. So long as the plant collects sun rays, it has sufficient energy to produce the starches that make up the potato tuber’s internal structure.

It is no wonder, therefore, that National Potato Day has become a sensation. The humble spud has been providing populations with a stable source of calories for centuries. It started its journey in South America and then made its way to Europe, following the discovery of the New World.

The potato is so nutritious that people can live off it for months at a time without having to supplement their diet with any other foods. What’s more, it is cheap and tasty, forming a vital constituent of many of the world’s favorite foods!

FAQ

Why is the potato considered a symbol of endurance in history?

During the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852), the potato’s failure caused mass starvation, but the crop’s eventual recovery cemented its reputation as a resilient staple. Similarly, in Andean cultures, its ability to thrive in harsh climates made it a symbol of perseverance.

What is a “potato hotel,” and where can you find one?

In Idaho, USA, you can stay in a giant potato-shaped hotel called the Big Idaho Potato Hotel. This quirky accommodation celebrates the state’s strong ties to potato farming and is a fun tourist attraction for tuber fans.

How do potatoes play a role in unique New Year’s traditions?

In Colombia, some families use potatoes for a fortune-telling game. Three potatoes—one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half-peeled—are placed under a bed. At midnight, participants pick one at random to predict their financial fate for the coming year.

What is the strangest potato recipe ever created?

In Scotland, “stovies” are a unique potato-based dish traditionally made with leftover meat, vegetables, and potatoes. It’s a flexible, comfort food recipe that reflects the country’s frugal yet flavorful cooking traditions.

What is the largest potato ever grown?

The heaviest potato on record weighed 10 pounds, 14 ounces. It was grown by Peter Glazebrook in the United Kingdom in 2011, demonstrating the potato’s surprising capacity for size.

What potato varieties are prized for their unusual appearances?

Purple potatoes, native to the Andes, are rich in antioxidants and have a vibrant hue. Their striking color and nutty flavor make them a prized ingredient in gourmet recipes worldwide.

Why are potatoes used to make stamps in some cultures?

In India, people carve potatoes to create traditional block stamps for fabric printing. The tuber’s soft, malleable texture allows for intricate designs, blending art with functionality.

Which country consumes the most potatoes per capita?

Belarus leads the world in potato consumption per capita. Potatoes are integral to dishes like draniki (potato pancakes) and babka (potato pudding), staples of Belarusian cuisine.

How did the potato inspire modern snack culture?

The invention of the potato chip in 1853 is credited to chef George Crum in New York. Angry at a customer who criticized his fried potatoes, Crum sliced them paper-thin, fried them, and created an accidental snack phenomenon.

Why do potatoes grow in space?

Scientists have grown potatoes on the International Space Station to study crop sustainability for long-term missions. This experiment demonstrates their potential to provide food in challenging environments like Mars.