Sunspiced of Idaho has announced a new cooperative of Idaho potato growers with offices to be based in Blackfoot, ID.
The entity will consolidate marketing, sales and co-packing in the fresh-pack industry.
The agreement brings together an estimated 35-40 growers incorporated as Sunspiced of Idaho and Sunspiced USA.
Under the long-term agreement, Sunspiced USA will provide national marketing, quality assurance, and procurement services. Fresh-packing plants already apart of Sunspiced in Blackfoot and Rexburg will continue to operate.
Sunspiced of Idaho will hire the current entity's staff and assume the day-to-day sales, marketing, and distribution activities of this Idaho fresh potato business.
Sunspiced of Idaho will market products under the Sunspiced, Tepee, and other brands. Two prominent fresh-packing plants, Driscoll Potatoes of American Falls and Idaho Select in Aberdeen, will co-pack for the co-op.
Management anticipated a seamless transition for customers. Marketing and sales staff will be in place at new Sunspiced of Idaho offices in Blackfoot as the agreement goes into effect in August with the first shipments of this year's crop.
Loraine Driscoll, president of the co-op, said, "As growers this agreement gives us strong new support in a very competitive marketplace. We can offer more to customers. We've combined our expertise in farming with the leadership role Sunspiced has in sales and marketing, and it's a perfect fit."
Sunspiced of Idaho is a new entity unrelated to Basic American Foods. Sunspiced USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of, but operates separately from Basic American Foods, based in Walnut Creek, CA.