U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York says the potato crop in his home state isn’t small fry.
Schumer wants the National Restaurant Association to look at tapping Long Island farms for spuds, as bad weather out west continues to create a national potato shortage.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects the potato production slowdown to be the worst since 2010.
Schumer says large potato growers in Idaho, North Dakota and Oregon may not be able to fulfill contracts with big restaurants and grocers.
Suffolk County has the third largest potato crop in New York, and national contracts could mean more financial support for farm equipment and better jobs in the region come the spring growing season.
