Potato variety developed by UMaine doing well in stores, WAGM reports
WAGM (Channel 8 in Presque Isle) reported a new potato variety developed by the Maine Potato Board and University of Maine is selling well at supermarkets. Hannaford began selling Caribou Russet potatoes in November. Bags of the potato variety, which come from Irving Farms in Caribou, are available in 94 stores across Maine and in parts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, according to the report. Mark Jewell, a category manager of produce at Hannaford, told WAGM that consumers typically buy white potatoes around Thanksgiving, but this year they saw a spike in sales with russets because of the Caribou Russet. Jewell said depending on overall sales, Hannaford could potentially commit to more of the crop next year.