BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho’s congressional delegation is seeking relief from the federal government for struggling potato growers left with a spud surplus after a stellar growing season was offset by falling prices.
Leaders of potato grower industry groups said last month that prices for Idaho potatoes had dropped to less than half of what it cost farmers to grow last year’s crop.
Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Walk Minnick, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this week seeking help.
The lawmakers wrote in support of a pending request for the purchase of the surplus spuds for federal nutrition programs.
