Inside Fresh Solutions Network

Family-owned Sterman Masser Potato Farms forms a new company Lykens Valley Grain. Sacramento, PA (August 3, 2022) – Sterman Masser, a partner member of Fresh Solutions Network, announced the formation of the Lykens Valley Grain Company through an acquisition by Sterman Masser Potato Farms from Perdue Agribusiness. The purchase includes the Upper Dauphin Grain Center in Pennsylvania, renamed Lykens Valley Grain. Sterman Masser will use the facility to store all the grain they grow and harvest, in addition to local farmers’ wheat, corn, and contracted soybeans. “The addition of Lykens Valley Grain (LVG) to our family of companies is...
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With increased focus on food security, inflation, and health, potatoes continue to gain popularity and grow in demand. Newport Beach, CA (July 19, 2022) – Fresh Solutions Network announced the important role of their network of farmers and potato products. In a newly released report, Potato Market – Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022-2027) 1, experts noted positive trends in the potato market during the future forecast period as potatoes continue to gain popularity during concerns over food security, inflation, supply constraints, and health. The four indicators of food security i.e.,...
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KEYSTONE announces expansion into fresh-cut potato products, benefiting retail consumers and foodservice Sacramento, PA (July 11, 2022) – Masser Family of Companies announced the launch of a new website for Hegins, PA-based partner Keystone Potato Products, LLC. The website showcases Keystone’s sustainability processes and products – highlighting their fresh-cut potatoes. The Masser family and other Keystone Potato product shareholders and board members invested in capital equipment to advance their fresh-cut capabilities to provide convenience for the customer and impact the growth of the potato category in retail and food service. Michal...
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Side Delights shares farming insights from their Network of family-owned farms and why shoppers prefer locally grown, family-farmed food  San Francisco, CA (May 17, 2021) – Side Delights shares farming insights from their network of potato farmers and studies that show locally grown and family farmed food matters more to consumers than it ever has. According to a national consumer study, demand for locally grown food continues to rise, with consumers – especially millennials – looking to support local farmers. The survey also indicates that the pandemic has created interest from...
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Side Delights shares data on home-cooking habits as shoppers start celebrating and cooking with family.  San Francisco, CA (April 27, 2021) – While restaurants across the US continue to open, more Americans are still cooking at home more now than they did before the pandemic began. Consumers reported cooking slightly less than half of their meals at home before the onset of COVID-19. Not surprisingly, this increased to 66% in April 20201 – which Cooking Light magazine referred to as “The year everyone learned to cook at home.” Consumers spent more money on...
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Side Delights farmers introduce the next generation to the potato business supporting trends to support family farms and “Grown Where it Matters.” San Francisco, CA (March 17, 2021) – The Side Delights Network of family-owned farms is vigilantly integrating the next generation into the potato business. 2021 trends show that “The locally grown produce movement starts to come of age,” as stated in the article on Top Seven Trends for Fresh Produce in 2021. Also in the forefront are family farms which, according to the USDA, “are vital to our economy and well-being as...
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Fresh Solutions Network invests in digital programs to support local growers and customers seeking information online about the foods they purchase San Francisco, CA  (April 6, 2020) –  Studies show that 70-80% of people research a company online before making a purchase. Shoppers search to find information about their potential food purchases in addition to the companies that produce it and what they stand for.  Consumers want the information quickly, efficiently, and with engaging details. To respond to the growing importance of this information, Michael Family Farms today debuted a new website...
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San Francisco, CA (February 4, 2020) – Fresh Solutions Network announced today that Carissa Olsen was appointed President & CEO of NoKota Packers, Inc., following the retirement of Steve Tweten in December 2019. NoKota Packers, Inc. is a third-generation packer and shipper of red potatoes in the Red River Valley of North Dakota, and an exclusive supplier of Side Delights® potatoes. Olsen assumed the role of COO in February of 2017 following six years as Director of Operations. She joined the company 15 years ago as an administrative assistant. During her...
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San Francisco, CA  (December 18, 2019) – Fresh Solutions Network announced today that Steve Tweten, president, CEO, and partner of NoKota Packers, Inc., will retire on December 27, 2019, after 40 years with the company. An exclusive supplier of Side Delights® potatoes, NoKota Packers, Inc. (NPI) is a second-generation packer and shipper of red potatoes in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. Steve grew up farming potatoes on his father’s potato farm, Malcolm Tweten Farms, and learned first-hand how to be a potato farmer. He deepened his knowledge by attending...
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Sugar City, ID (April 29, 2019) ­ Potato industry veteran, Tron Crumley, joined Sun-Glo of Idaho in Sales, effective April 15, 2019.  “My career has been single-mindedly focused on the potato industry.  I am also the grandson of Idaho potato farmers, so selling potatoes is in my blood.” Crumley’s dedication to his own family led him to Sun-Glo where the tight-knit, Crapo family’s reputation as a quality grower, packer & shipper are beyond reproach.  “Sun-Glo’s level of customer service makes a positive difference to the bottom line. I¹m looking forward to...
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