From Sidelined to Center Stage: How the Potato Reclaimed Its Spot in America’s Dietary Guidelines
A decade of fact-driven advocacy and purpose-driven PR cements the potato as a nutritional powerhouse in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Introduction
Just 15 years ago, the humble potato was facing an identity crisis, not because of its nutritional profile, but because of government overreach. Today, thanks to the tireless advocacy of the National Potato Council (NPC) and the strategic communication of Evocati PR, the "spud" isn't just back; it’s front and center.
Last month, the Trump Administration released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the results represent a massive win for Spud Nation.
For the first time in years, the government-sanctioned consumer graphic features a whole, fresh potato prominently in the vegetable and fruit section, identifying it as a nutrient-rich staple Americans should celebrate as part of a healthy diet.
Image: America’s New Food Pyramid with the humble potato featured front and center. (Source: USDA.gov)
A Legacy of Advocacy: Turning the Tide
The journey to this announcement was anything but easy. As Evocati PR President & Founder Barrett Y. Bogue recently noted, we have to rewind to 2011 to understand the stakes. Back then, the USDA proposed severely limiting starchy vegetables in school lunches to just one cup per week. It was an ideological attempt to sideline a vegetable that has fed Americans for generations.
The industry didn't go quietly. Through consistent, science-based outreach, NPC and its partners mobilized. This long-term commitment to reshaping the narrative proved essential when, during the development of these latest guidelines, some floated the idea of reclassifying potatoes as grains rather than vegetables.
"To see the dietary guidelines now celebrate America’s favorite vegetable represents amazing progress," said Kam Quarles, CEO at NPC, in a recent statement. This progress wasn't a matter of luck; it was the result of a "full playbook" activation involving bipartisan Congressional support, grower stories, and aggressive media outreach.
READ MORE: Client Success | Executing a National Campaign Featuring America's Favorite Vegetable — Evocati PR
The Science Behind the Spud
The National Potato Council has consistently made the case that potatoes are an economic and nutritional powerhouse. Consider the facts that helped turn the tide:
Nutritional Density: A medium baked potato with skin delivers more potassium than a banana and 27% of your daily Vitamin C.
Affordability: Potatoes remain one of the most cost-effective ways for schools and families to provide essential nutrients like fiber and protein.
Economic Impact: The industry supports more than 714,000 American jobs and contributes over $100 billion to the U.S. GDP annually.
As reported by Bloomberg and The Packer, the "MAHA effect" (Make America Healthy Again) and a focus on whole foods have further validated the industry's position that fresh potatoes are a vital part of the American plate.
PR with a Purpose: Shaping the Conversation
At Evocati PR, we are proud to represent the National Potato Council. We’ve been in the trenches alongside NPC CEO Kam Quarles and our own CEO Mark Szymanski to ensure that policymakers hear the real story.
This success is a textbook example of our commitment to PR with a Purpose. When government proposals threaten common-sense nutrition and livelihoods, sustained, fact-driven advocacy is the only way to turn the tide. We believe in the power of storytelling to drive meaningful results, and today, that story is one of victory for potato growers across the country.
"This is how you reshape narratives," Bogue shared. "Years of smart, aggressive communication will always beat one bad proposal."
Are you ready to turn your mission into a movement? If your organization needs a strategic partner to amplify its voice and achieve national impact, contact us today for a free discovery call.
More PR with A Purpose…
