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MonAug 19

National Potato Day – August 19, 2024

National Potato Day is August 19, so if you like spuds, this one’s for you! Never celebrated this tasty tot before? Good news, we have the lowdown on how to do things up right with facts and links to turn you from couch potato to party animal.

Potatoes have been a popular food for centuries so it’s about time we recognize this versatile and ap-peeling favorite. Mashed, smashed, chipped, or covered in cheese, potatoes can be eaten with just about every meal — or as a meal! — making these starchy veggies a delicious and easy way to get iron, potassium and vitamin c. The puns are just baked right in! Now just fry and stop us from telling you the whole scoop on what makes National Potato Day so …spudtacular.

National Potato Day timeline

8000 BC
First fries

The Inca in Peru are the first in the world to cultivate the potato.

1536
Stolen spuds

The Spanish Conquistadors invade Peru. They bring potatoes back to Europe.

1802
Presidential potatoes

Thomas Jefferson serves French-fried potatoes at the White House.

1995
Space spud

NASA and the University of Wisconsin partner to make the potato the first vegetable grown in space.

December, 2002
Boil 'em, mash 'em

Potatoes reach their silver screen peak in this famed cameo from 'Lord of the Rings — The Two Towers."

National Potato Day - Survey Results

According to one of the top Health and Wellness Marketing Agencies:

 

National Potato Day Activities

  1. Know your roots

    Did you know there are over 4000 different kinds of potatoes? It’s true! Choose your favorite or choose a bunch because potatoes are so tasty and easy to cook that no matter what you pick you won’t be wrong! And not being wrong is a wonderful way to celebrate anything, so try it out this August 19.

  2. Choose a recipe

    There’s no wrong way to prepare a potato and the Internet (and probably your grandma) have a million and one recipes for you to try. Select a favorite, chop to it and discover for yourself why this hot potato is such a hot commodity. Don’t forget to invite some friends and make it an event! This is a celebration, after all.

  3. Eat!

    Creamy and buttery or crispy and salty, the last step to enjoying this day is the best step — eating! —and we will eat potatoes in any form (even baked into bread)! We think consuming these delectable spuds in mass quantities is the best way to pay homage on their special day.

Why We Love National Potato Day

  1. Potatoes are a staple for a reason

    Hashbrowns or potato salad, hot or cold, no matter how you slice ‘em, potatoes have been a staple in diets all over the world because they’re easy to grow, tasty and relatively inexpensive to produce and buy. Nearly ever cuisine has potatoes in it, so you can take a culinary journey with your trusty potato by your side.

  2. Potato chips are the best snack

    The people have spoken! Potato chips are regularly regarded as the most delicious snack and we couldn’t agree more. Plus, there isn’t a better party food than the potato chip. Just pour them in a bowl and let the festivities begin! With chips coming in more and more flavors all the time, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy your favorite spuds with your buds. That deserve a few chip-chip-hoorays!

  3. Potatoes are America’s crop

    Potatoes are grown in all 50 states! It makes sense that there should be a national day to celebrate the crop that can feed an entire country. We really do think this starchy, vitamin packed veg is all that and a bag of chips so pick up a bag, choose a recipe and feast with friends!

National Potato Day dates

YearDateDay
2024August 19Monday
2025August 19Tuesday
2026August 19Wednesday
2027August 19Thursday
2028August 19Saturday

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