Eastern Idaho: A Potato Powerhouse

Lamb Weston

Say “potato” and “french fries” – and Idaho comes to mind. From Famous Potatoes license plates to an annual college football game – the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – the state and the spud have been linked for decades. So, it’s no surprise Idaho grows 14 billion pounds of potatoes a year, the most of any state, according to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. 

“Idaho features rich, easy-draining volcanic soil, sustainably irrigated by the Snake River. Together, with a sunny day/cool night climate and longer growing season, you simply won’t find a better place for producing potatoes,” says Steve Bannworth, vice president of global agriculture at Lamb Weston. 

Along with forward-thinking Idaho-based companies like Simplot, Idahoan Foods and Spudnick, Lamb Weston has grown the state into a global potato powerhouse. 

“We supply frozen potato products to restaurants and retailers in more than 100 countries, selling 80 million pounds of fries every day,” Bannworth says. “In the frozen potato category, we’re No. 1 in North America and No. 2 globally.” 

Lamb Weston has been in business for 75 years and now has more than 10,000 employees worldwide. 

In Idaho, the company operates two high-capacity production facilities strategically located near prime potato-growing areas. 

An Appetite for Innovation 

“Our American Falls facility in Eastern Idaho is the largest in the Lamb Weston network, and it plays a key role by partnering with multiple growers across the region to source high-quality potatoes,” Bannworth says. “Over the past three years, the facility has expanded significantly, adding two new production lines featuring state-of-the-art technology and a wastewater treatment plant that allows us to utilize reused water.” 

Simplot is another longtime player in the potato field with a cutting-edge philosophy. Its founder, J.R. Simplot, started as a one-man farming operation in Eastern Idaho in 1929 before he started focusing on shipping potatoes and then began dehydrating taters and onions to feed troops in World War II. 

“As his food production and distribution grew, he saw a need for fertilizer to grow more plants and also got into ranching to feed potato scraps to cattle,” says Josh Jordan, Simplot’s director of global content and reputation management. 

Those developments gave rise to Simplot’s AgriBusiness Group, which oversees phosphate fertilizer production and distribution to farmers throughout North America, and a Land & Livestock division that’s one of the largest cattle ranchers in the United States. 

“Shortly after World War II, J.R.’s team brought the first commercially viable frozen french fry to market, and the company has continued to thrive. Today, we have major operations in nine countries and employ more than 18,000 people,” Jordan says. 

Courtesy of Simplot

Modern Techniques and Pioneering Tools 

Evolving and adapting continue to be part of Lamb Weston and Simplot’s business plans. In 2026, precision farming and automation are revolutionizing the potato industry.

“Today, technology is transforming farming by ushering in a digital era where decisions are driven by data and analytics,” Jordan says. “Rather than treating entire fields uniformly using approximations and estimates, a grower can apply crop nutrition and protection inputs like water, fertilizer and pesticides exactly where and when they’re needed. Modern producers are increasingly adopting tools that monitor soil health, crop growth and weather patterns in real time.” 

At the farm level, Lamb Weston focuses on innovations that help grow crops more efficiently. The company supports innovations including GPS-guided and automated equipment for planting and tillage. 

“We also leverage technology to reduce carbon emissions and increase sequestration,” Bannworth says. “And we use remote sensing equipment to communicate with our growers on their carbon footprint.” 

Airplanes, drones and satellites help Lamb Weston identify crop issues. The company also uses predictive analytics to determine if current conditions vary and predict future conditions, so it can understand when action is required, he says. 

An eye to the future ensures these companies will continue to focus on growth and long-term success. “Simplot believes agronomic innovation leads to advancement and prosperity for the community,” Jordan says. 

At Lamb Weston, the average customer relationship is 28 years. 

“Potatoes are our sole focus, and that commitment allows us to deliver consistently high-quality frozen potatoes,” Bannworth says. “No matter where our products go, we work to guarantee Idaho’s excellence shines through.”