Last updated on June 13th, 2024
The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) based in Eagle, Idaho, has hired Mike Krage as retail promotion director of the Northeast/Midwest.
Krage brings more than 30 years of retail and wholesale produce industry experience. He replaces Dave Rhodes, who will be director of produce and floral for Fresh Encounter, a 59-store chain in Indiana and Ohio.
Krage will be based in Champaign, Illinois, utilizing category management, promotions and other marketing support tools to assist category managers and buyers in the Northeast and Midwest in boosting category profitability.
“I‘ve worked closely with IPC as a retailer over the last 20 years, and I’ve always valued their insights about what’s going on within that category,” said Krage. “I’m a big fan of using data, and IPC has some outstanding category data available by retailer and by region. I’m looking forward to sharing how category data can really help drive good decisions for assortment, pricing, promotion and merchandising.”
Supervalu/UNFI, Winn-Dixie and Albertsons are among the companies where Krage has honed his produce expertise over the years, handling everything from operations to sales and merchandising to category management. He also served as one of the first board members for the Southeast Produce Council, founded in 1999, and was on the retail board of directors for United Fresh.
“Mike knows the produce industry from grower to end user, so he is able to hit the ground running with all the outstanding resources of the Idaho Potato Commission,” said Seth Pemsler, VP retail/international. “I know our customers are going to enjoy working with him.”
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that promotes and protects the “Grown in Idaho” seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers are purchasing genuine, Idaho potatoes.
