Potatoes USA Appoints 2020 -2021 International Marketing Committee Co-Chairs

April 14, 2020

Ed Staunton of Tulelake, California and Steve Streich of Kalispell, Montana were elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 11, 2020 at the organization’s 48th Annual Meeting. This will be Staunton’s first year serving as an International Marketing Committee Co-Chair and his second year back on the Board after previously serving a six-year term from 2001-2007, during which time he Co-Chaired the Policy and Grower Relations Committee for one year and served on the Domestic Marketing Committee for four years. Streich will be serving his fifth year on the Board and his third year on the Executive Committee, serving as Co-Chair of the International Marketing Committee.

Staunton is the co-manager and partner of Staunton Farms LP and is involved in all aspects of the organization, alongside his brother, Sid, nephew, Marc, and son, Kyle. Staunton Farms produces a variety of fresh potatoes, both conventional and organic, including red, yellow, and russet, as well as chip potatoes for Frito-Lay and to export. Staunton is a third-generation potato farmer and has spent the last 36 years doing just that. He is also very involved in the industry. Staunton is on the California Potato Research Advisory Board. From 2007 to 2019, he served on the National Potato Council’s Board and was on the United Potato Growers of America Board of Directors when it first formed.  Staunton is looking forward to being back on Potatoes USA’s leadership team and is ready to push through the current challenges to help strengthen the demand for U.S. potatoes. 

Streich has been farming for the past 33 years and focuses on raising russet seed potatoes for commercial growers in Washington and Idaho. He is the owner of Streich and Associates, Inc., which he managers with his son Paul. As a co-chair of the committee, Streich is looking forward to building on the 2019 double-digit export success and working with the International reps and agencies to rebuild demand lost to the corona virus. Outside of his involvement with Potatoes USA, he is also the Vice President of the Flathead Farm Mutual and is a board member of the CHS-Mountain West Cooperation and the Montana Potato Improvement Association.

The International Marketing Committee oversees the foodservice, retail, ingredient, consumer, market access, and seed potato export marketing programs. The committee is focused on increasing U.S. potato exports across all product types, expanding access for U.S. potatoes across the globe, and for ensuring international consumers and trade members know U.S. potatoes for their nutritional benefits.

---