All eyes are on the star spud

No, it’s not just a potato.
Anyone who thinks that a potato is a potato is a potato should think again. Your average garden-variety spud (pun intended) will never make it to the big time — or into your Happy Meal.
The big time, the crowning achievement, the pinnacle of potato-ism is selection by McDonald’s for its french fries. McDonald’s buys more than 3.4 billion pounds of U.S. potatoes annually, and word has gone out the company is looking for a new potato.
Three species are now approved for use. Two of those are used August-February; the rest of the time McDonald’s must rely on another variety that stores well. But that potato, the Russet Burbank, cannot successfully be grown without a heavy dose of chemicals and plenty of water — and McDonalds is seeking a substitute that is more environmentally acceptable.
And that means, so is the potato industry. “We’re always looking for the silver bullet to replace the Russet Burbank,” said the aptly named Allen French, manager of a major potato-producing company.
The Silver Bullet. Now, there’s a name. Maybe ’tater breeders should consider it for their next genetic star.