April 2019 - 39

Spuddy is everyone's buddy
Many brands have
IDAHO POTATO
COMMISSION
Frank Muir
President and CEO
mascots to help
engage consumers
with their products.
Examples include
Ronald McDonald,
the Energizer Bunny,
the Jolly Green Giant,
Mr. Peanut - and I
have no doubt you
can name dozens
of others.
Thirty-six years
ago the Idaho Potato
Commission (IPC) introduced its mascot,
Spuddy Buddy, who back then sported
a bandana and cowboy hat to reflect his
western heritage. Initially, his exposure
was limited to appearances in retail ads to
help educate people about the differences
between potatoes grown in Idaho and
potatoes grown in other states.
In 1993, Spuddy Buddy received a
significant makeover and that's when he
started becoming the endearing mascot
that he is today. His smile and eyes became
bigger and brighter, and he took on a much
sportier look - trading in his bandana for a
red sweater with the " Grown in Idaho " logo
and big black sneakers to help him keep up
with his fast-paced lifestyle.
However, it was in 1996 when Spuddy
Buddy got his big break. While standing
at the Today Show window in Rockefeller
Plaza in New York City, weatherman Al
Roker tried to interview him. But since
Spuddy Buddy can't talk, the IPC chairman
at the time, Don Dixon, spoke on his behalf
and introduced Spuddy Buddy to millions
of folks across the country. From that
moment on, Spuddy Buddy's popularity
was on the rise.
* In 1997, plush Spuddy Buddies became
available for purchase making him even
more desirable. Today, folks take the small
Spuddy Buddies with them when they
travel and post pictures of him at some
of the most famous locations around the
globe. Recently, Idaho›s own Department
of Tourism sent 600 Spuddies to tourism
groups all over the world to promote Idaho
as a destination.
* In 2000, Spuddy Buddy starred in a
television commercial with then-Governor
Spuddy Buddy, the Idaho Potato Commission's mascot, being lifted into the air during the
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game, which is played annually at Albertsons Stadium in Boise.
Photo: Idaho Potato Commission
Dirk Kempthorne promoting Idaho
potatoes and the " Grown in Idaho " seal.
* In 2010 the famous potato started making
regular appearances at Boise State
University football games at Albertsons
Stadium.
* In 2013 Spuddy Buddy tried out for
America's Got Talent when the popular
television show visited Boise. He didn't
make the cut, but we're pretty certain the
judges never had and never will have a
dancing potato audition again!
The recognition we're most proud of
occurred just this past December. Spuddy
Buddy was declared the No. 1 College Football
Bowl Mascot by SBNation, beating out other
mascots like the New Mexico Bowl's Gildan
Shirt, the Belk Bowl's Belkie the Bear and
even the Chick-fil-A Cow who appeared at the
INDUSTRY NEWS
FDA ANNOUNCES DATES FOR FSMA WATER COMPLIANCE
The Food & Drug Administration
(FDA) has issued a rule to finalize the
new compliance dates for the agricultural
water requirements in the Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce
Safety Rule.
Larger farms are now required to comply
with the agricultural water requirements by
Jan. 26, 2022, while small farms have until
Jan. 26, 2023, and very small farms until
Jan. 26, 2024. This rule does not change
the compliance dates for sprout operations.
Spudman * April 2019
39
Peach Bowl. " The overexcited, never-blinking
humanoid potato " was the hands down winner.
Per SBNation, " How could he not be No.1? "
Spuddy Buddy has won the hearts of
millions of folks around the world. People
of all ages just can't help but smile when
they see him. Two years ago, ESPN named
Spuddy Buddy their favorite mascot. I think
this is just the beginning of a very long list of
accolades for Spuddy Buddy.
Today Spuddy Buddy is a familiar face
in many of the IPC's marketing programs,
like the Potato Lover's Month Retail Display
Contest, the Big Idaho Potato Truck,
international conferences and many more.
To keep up with Spuddy Buddy's
adventures, follow the IPC's social posts and/
or search #adventuresofSpuddyBuddy and
#spuddybuddy.
April 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2019
