BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota farmers are hoping a nationwide campaign to counter the low-carbohydrate diet fad will help shrink their growing stocks of potatoes.

Growers, dealers and processors in the state had the equivalent of 11.2 million 100-pound bags of spuds on hand on April 1 -- up 42 percent from the previous year and a record level for the date. U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show the stocks represented 41 percent of production.

While some of the increase in stocks is due to a bigger crop last year, a drop in demand also is a factor.

Help may be on the way, though.

The U.S. Potato Board is launching a campaign aimed at promoting the healthy aspects of potatoes. A spokesman for the group said low-carb programs such as the Atkins Diet have affected potato sales.


http://www.wesh.com/food/3034255/detail.html