Idaho® potatoes and Shuman Farms sweet onions, two staples in the produce aisle, recently went head-to-head (or root-to-root) at the first-ever Rooted Rivalry: Onions vs. Potatoes tailgate match.
The event was held at Georgia Southern’s Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 31, and Jamey Higham, president and CEO of the IPC, said, “When you combine two amazing college football teams like Boise State and Georgia Southern playing for the first time and a tailgate taste-off between Idaho potatoes and sweet onions, you get the Rooted Rivalry, a ‘mash’ made in heaven.” Higham added, “We’re always looking for unique and engaging opportunities to promote Idaho potatoes and this checked all of the boxes.”
John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms commented,“It was a first-time meeting on the football field for Georgia Southern and Boise State, but sharing a tailgate spread is a time-honored tradition for sweet onions and Idaho potatoes,” said John Shuman, President and CEO of Shuman Farms in Southeast Georgia, commented, “Sharing delicious food and engaging with fans on how to include fresh produce in their game day dishes is a win all around.”
Fans couldn’t miss the tailgate, with the Big Idaho Potato Truck and Shuman Farms’ Giant Sweet Onion parked at the entrance to Paulson Stadium. Eagles and Broncos fans snapped photos with Spuddy Buddy, played games to win sweet onion or potato swag, and snacked on delicious Idaho potato chips and Shuman Farms sweet onion dip.
The Rooted Rivalry continued during the game with an on-field race between fans to carry potatoes or onions the fastest from the 15-yard line into the endzone. Custom Rooted Rivalry t-shirts were thrown out to fans by the Georgia Southern cheer team, and the video board featured fast facts about Idaho potatoes and sweet onions throughout the game.
Both Georgia Southern and Boise State played hard, with Boise State ultimately taking home the win in the season-opening game 56-45.
The Big Idaho Potato Truck made several stops around Statesboro including the grand opening of Texas Roadhouse on August 26 and at Food Lion on August 30 where the Truck’s Big Helping Charity, in partnership with Food Lion, donated $1,000 to the Friendship Baptist Church Food Bank in Statesboro. For every signature received on the truck’s signature board, $1 is earned for a charity chosen by the store. The Big Helping board received 1,000 signatures from shoppers throughout the day.
