In 1960, the typical American ate eighty-one pounds of potatoes. Today, the average American eats forty-nine pounds of potatoes per year. What does this mean? Are people eating less potatoes, even though they are served at every fast food restaurant? Is there any explanation for this odd phenomenon? Well, it's all about potato farmers in Idaho. The potato industry in Idaho was massively boosted when J.R. Simplot began making frozen french fries. He was an Idaho native, and he believed in giving back to the people. When Simplot made a deal to be the exclusive seller of McDonalds fries, the potato industry boomed. Everyone and their uncles started growing potatoes. But not anymore. After the market was flooded by potatoes, it got to the point
