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Explore the intricacies of the fresh potato business with a powerful lineup of speakers who will provide key market updates and discuss emerging trends shaping potato purchasing and consumption.
Attend in person at the Potatoes USA office in Denver to take full advantage of collaborative discussions, networking opportunities, and interactive sessions designed to drive impact across the industry. The in-person experience also features breakfast and lunch prepared by Potatoes USA Chefs, bringing culinary inspiration to life alongside the day’s discussions. A virtual option will be available for those unable to attend in person.
This is a must-attend annual event, so mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 27, and register today.
Register for Fresh Working Group
8:00 – 8:30 AM (MT): Breakfast & Opening Remarks
Nick Bartelme, Retail Development Manager, Potatoes USA
8:30 – 9:00 AM: Potatoes in a Changing World
Kim Breshears, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Industry Pulse: United Potato Growers of America (UPGA) Briefing
Mark Klompien, President & CEO, UPGA
9:30 – 10:00 AM: Winning the Shelf: A Retailer’s Perspective
Eric Knapke, Potato and Onion Category Manager, The Kroger Co.
10:00 – 10:15 AM: Break
10:15 – 10:45 AM: What is Culinary Medicine and How Do Potatoes Fit?
Riley Petersen, Director of Nutrition, Potatoes USA
10:45 – 11:15 AM: Today’s Shoppers: Highly Adaptable & Increasingly Intentional and What it Means for Potatoes
Jonna Parker, Vice President, Fresh Foods Group, Circana
11:15 – 11:45 AM: From Menu to Market: Connecting Foodservice Trends to Shopper Behavior
Kelly Dykhuizen, Vice President, Customer Experience, Datassential
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Bringing It to Life: Culinary Demo & Application
Chef RJ Harvey, Culinary Director, & Aurora Hollenbeck, Sous Chef, Potatoes USA
12:00 – 12:45 PM: Lunch
12:45 – 1:15 PM: Beyond Borders: Fresh Opportunities Abroad
Martin von Ruden, Director of Global Strategy, Potatoes USA
1:15 – 2:00 PM: The 2026 Consumer Lens: Attitudes & Usage
Marisa Stein, Director of Marketing, Potatoes USA
2:00 – 2:30 PM: Around the Field: Driving Potato Momentum Together
Facilitated by Nick Bartelme
Dinner for In-Person Guests with Speakers and Potatoes USA