The Maine Potato Board has announced that its newest variety – the Caribou Russet potato – is now available in select stores in Eastern Maine.
PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE (Dec. 20, 2016) – The Maine Potato Board has announced that its newest variety – the Caribou Russet potato – is now available in select stores in Eastern Maine. After a successful launch to the public at the Maine Harvest Festival last month, the Caribou Russet is available at Tradewinds Markets in Blue Hill, Ellsworth, Clinton, Milo, Calais, Brewer, Eddington, Norridgewock, and Veazie; Whitney’s Family Supermarket in Corinth; and Danforth’s Down Home Supermarket in Hermon.
“The Caribou Russet is surpassing our already high expectations for popularity,” said Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board. “We sold out of our supply halfway through the first day of the Maine Harvest Festival, and the feedback from customers has been tremendous. We are calling it the potato lover’s potato because of the nice, rich flavor it has. It comes as no surprise to us that there are a lot of potato lovers in this state.”
The Caribou Russet is the latest variety introduced by the Maine Potato Board. It was developed by the University of Maine, and is a dual-purpose, russet-skinned variety with high yields, mid-season maturity and moderate common scab resistance. In addition to fresh-market consumption, the new variety is expected to be useful for processing markets. Officials say that the Caribou Russet is good for baking, mashing, or grilling.
“This really is a unique russet,” said Flannery. “There has been a great amount of interest in this potato, which is exciting. Bringing the Caribou Russet to market through Tradewinds, Danforth’s, and Whitney’s is a perfect pairing, allowing us to put quality Maine potatoes in the hands of consumers through locally owned and operated supermarkets.”
The Caribou Russet was first announced last spring. In that time commercial seed has been developed, planted and harvested, with the first crop being made widely available to consumers at the Maine Harvest Festival last month. The Caribou Russet has been praised by potato lovers from around the state, including U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who Flannery says has been supportive of the potato industry and shares the excitement about the new potato variety.
Demand for the current supply of Caribou Russets will determine availability in the immediate future. For now, customers in Eastern Maine can visit one of the eleven locations where the Caribou Russet is currently available, and officials plan to continue to add stores to increase availability in 2017.
On the web
Maine Potato Board – www.mainepotatoes.com
Tradewinds Markets – www.tradewindsmarkets.com
Danforth’s Down Home Supermarket – www.danforthssupermarket.com
Whitney’s Family Supermarket – www.whitneysfamilymarket.com