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PONDEROSA POTATOES

Our potato sales are handled through Aspen Produce LLC

aspenllc.com 

The San Luis Valley in Colorado, home to Ponderosa Partnership LLC, is ranked in the top six potato producing areas in the United States, both in acres planted and production. According to the Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association, 55,000 acres of potatoes are grown in the San Luis Valley.

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In our area, the fertile, loose-packed loam soil is ideal for growing potatoes. Because of its ability to shift as the tubers grow, the potatoes can grow and expand easily.

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Even though the valley receives very little precipitation, we have plenty of excellent water sources available for irrigation. We draw our water from deep underground mountain springs, as well as from supplies replenished by the pure, clean sources of the headwaters of the Rio Grande River and the runoff from the heavy snows of the eastern slopes of the San Juan Mountains.

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Since 1971, we have been known for growing the Aspen Brand Premium Potato and other quality produce. Aspen’s proven reputation of quality potatoes has established them as one of Colorado’s leading potato shippers.

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There are more than 125 different kinds of potatoes grown in Colorado. At Ponderosa Partnership, we grow:

RUSSETS

  • Norkota Varieties - selections 3, 112, 278, and 296

  • Canela

  • Centennial

  • Mesa

  • Rio Grande

REDS

  • Cherry Red

Yellows

  • Alegria

FUN FACTS ABOUT POTATOES

How much do you know about potatoes?

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  • Potatoes are the world’s fourth-largest food crop, following rice, wheat, and corn.

  • The Inca Indians in Peru were the first civilization known to grow potatoes, which they started doing between 8,000 and 5,000 BC.

  • In the 1530s, Spanish conquistadors discovered potatoes in Peru and took them back to Europe.

  • Potatoes were introduced to the British colonies in North America in 1621.

  • Thomas Jefferson was the first American known to serve French fries.

  • A chef at a New York resort inadvertently invented potato chips in retaliation for Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt’s complaint that his potatoes were cut too thick.

  • Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, and iron.

  • Potato skins come in different colors, and so does potato flesh: there are varieties that are purple, blue, pink, lavender, yellow, orange, in addition to the traditional white.

  • There are seven main categories of potatoes: russet, yellow, white, red, purple, fingerling, and petite.

  • More potatoes are used for making frozen French fries (34%) than any other potato product.

  • In 2013, 43.7 billion pounds of potatoes were harvested in the United States.

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Thanks to the Potatoes USA for these potato facts!

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