USA: Michigan's potato industry is no small fry

CHIP LEADER: One out of every four bags of potato chips nationwide contain Michigan-grown potatoes — one reason the state is known as the chipping capital of the U.S. SUPHARB SANGKLA/GETTY IMAGES Michigan's potato industry supports almost 22,000 jobs, brings in $2.5 billion to the state's GDP and ranks as the second-largest commodity grown in Michigan behind apples. That's according to an analysis from economists at Michigan State University. The entire economic report, titled “No Small Potatoes,” can be found here. “Most people recognize the importance of the potato industry to rural America. However, its contributions to urban communities are often overlooked,” says Phil Gusmano, vice president of purchasing for Detroit-based Better Made Snack Foods and commissioner on the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. “The Michigan potato industry’s $2.5 billion economic contributions are distributed throughout the value chain — beginning with growers, moving through processing ...