1. They are mostly round white varieties: Atlantic, Reba, Waneta, Norwis and Lamoka will come out of Bender ground in 2018. Product Related QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS? But about five years ago, his father, David, offered an opportunity to return to the farm full-time. These are just a few of the ways Tasteful Selections is working towards being sustainable stewards of the land. We like them as an addition to green beans during the winter. “We don’t have a ton of land around that we can grow potatoes on,” says Bender. “It’s more of an industry issue than a personal one,” he says. Member since 2010 In the 1990s, Bob Bender was a chip potato grower in Nebraska for a major manufacturer. Though there is little immediate financial incentive for the farm to be involved in the trial program, Bender believes that this kind of work has inherent value. Our Bite-Size Story. My father knew that these bite-size potatoes could inspire meals for more than just our own, so he started his venture of expanding the potato category. Planting and harvesting more than 300 days a year, we truly are…. A challenge that has proven more difficult to deal with is finding enough local land to make the operation everything they feel it ought to be. This is a great way to make sure that the potatoes are just as delicious and crispy as they’d be if the sheet pan breakfast was prepared on the same day from scratch. For young producers, leaving the farm for school or work and eventually returning has its benefits. Pre-washed, with tender skins, these potatoes go from pantry to plate in record time. Careers. Around half that acreage is dedicated to chipping potatoes, the other half to table stock. Promotions. They get the work done, and even enjoy it from time to time, though they are careful never to let their parents know it. Potato Farms. Through this, he discovered our bite-size potatoes thrived in fields throughout the Southwest and thus we moved to California to make our bite-size dreams, a big-time reality. Sterman Masser, Inc. Arvin, CA (south of Bakersfield) in an area known for its rich farmland and year-round growing seasons. Home. {I like them thicker...but that means it will also take a little longer to cook than skinny ones.} “We’re a smaller farm, and being involved helps us understand what’s going on in the potato industry,” says Bryan. Cut potatoes into "steak french fries" size. Bender, an integral part of the Tasteful Selections team, keeps tabs on nearly 9,000 acres of specialty potatoes, carrots, and garlic, as well as a newly constructed $30 million, 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art processing facility that handles the operation’s specialty potato products. Follow these simple instructions to enable JavaScript in your web browser. We want to set a good example of how a plant should operate as a green leader.”, —Nathan Bender, COO of Tasteful Selections®. You'll love how easy this recipe is to prepare. Your guests will LOVE them. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. With great flavor and quick cook times, our family looked forward to having these flavorful bites to pair with our meals. This easy, creamy potato soup is hearty and comforting. Over the years, the family … Tractors pulling harvesters have been eliminated in the field as we transition to a self-propelled harvester that doubles the amount of input and saves on fuel. Baked mini potatoes, topped with smoked salmon alongside a simple sour cream and dill dip. Robert S. Bender - August 30, 1928 - June 5, 2020 Robert S. Bender, 91, of Lancaster, died peacefully, Friday, June 5, 2020 at ManorCare Health Service, Lancaster. We’ve been given a lot, and we’re trying to be generous with what we have.”. From raising tubers especially for potato chips to the everyday table spud, they are experts in growing America’s most popular root vegetable. General Potato Facts. From my family to yours, Nathan Bender Grower and Chief Operating Officer of Tasteful Selections. As they mature, farm kids discover an appreciation for all the simple yet profound lessons life on the farm has taught them, and they set off into the world to exercise their work ethic and integrity and faith somewhere else. It’s really cool how, even though everyone’s farm is different, it seems like everyone is doing a lot of the same stuff and has the same mission and goals.”. Searching for solutions and as-yet-unknown efficiencies has long been a driving internal force for the Benders. Bryan is a Potatoes USA board member, where he is a member of the research committee. They are the cultivators of the […] The fickle weather of the Mid-Atlantic is a hurdle the family has cleared year after year for generations. The Bender clan are potato people. Around half that acreage is dedicated to chipping potatoes, the other half to table stock. Bob Bender grows baby potatoes and rotates these with carrots and other small-seeded crops on his land in Bakersfield, California. Before Tasteful Selections® became a leader and pioneer in the category, bite-size potatoes played a special role in our family meals. As a company, we believe in sustainability and being leaders in the community. Today, the Tasteful Selections® brand is the leader of this unique potato category. Whether we’re supporting marathons, education or meals for those in need, we enjoy being involved in making a positive impact in our community. “We just want to do whatever we can to help. “I didn’t want to do that. Welcome to Bender Potatoes Welcome to Bender Potatoes Welcome to Bender Potatoes About Us We are a 4th generation family potato farm in Chambersburg, PA growing fresh table and chipping potatoes. Place on foiled baking sheet. We would love to hear from you. We hope that our Tasteful Selections ® bite-size potatoes will inspire you and your family for many meals to come. We are eager to announce our partnership with How2Recycle®. The approximately 152 acres of land that was once the property of the "Bloody Benders," who may be the first serial killer family in America, is up for auction. Bender said he was always looking for crops in which he could diversify, and in 2007, he had the opportunity to grow some baby, bite-sized potatoes for a Canadian company. One Hundred Years of Potatoes. After all, we puree lots of things in the blender and they turn out smooth and perfect. It's cheesy, creamy and a homemade treat the family will love. We’ve designed our wash lines so nearly all the water used to wash our bite-size potatoes is reused. Given that, it should come as no surprise that they have revolutionized the way we think about, cook, and consume potatoes. Born in West Hempfield Twp., he was the son of the late Norman Sr. and Annie (Seitz) Bender. Hotels near Bender Potatoes, Chambersburg on Tripadvisor: Find 7,673 traveler reviews, 2,851 candid photos, and prices for 30 hotels near Bender Potatoes in Chambersburg, PA. They are mostly round white varieties: Atlantic, Reba, Waneta, Norwis and Lamoka will come out of Bender ground in 2018. So we scoured the globe to find unique potatoes that cook fast and taste great. “But one of the reasons I wanted to move back to the farm is that it’s a great environment to raise a family. Idaho Grower of the Year: SouthWind Farms, IGSA 2020 Russet Aristocrat Dave Kingston. But worth it for the chapters involving the humble potato. Most of the Benders’ chip potatoes are sold to Utz, though some go to other, smaller East Coast chip processors. But O Wise Ones favorite is new potatoes smothered down in butter, garlic and parsley. This year there was still some minor passive-aggressive behavior at the table. There’s a lot of practical wisdom to learn from farming.”. These are the small potatoes that are usually smaller than a golf ball. In the good old days, our family was united—we all openly prayed for Nixon just before we drew straws for the gizzard. The pull of home finally proved too strong, and Bender and his young family moved back to Chambersburg, Pa., where four generations of Benders have been growing potatoes for almost a dozen decades. “This worked out well for a few years, and then we decided in 2009 to pack the baby potatoes under our own CSS Farms label,” Bender said. This site has features that require javascript. But lift off the lid this time, and instead of creamy fluffy potatoes, you’ll see a thick gluey mess. Why you'll want to make it It's easy to make. As family farmers, we want to grow potatoes for your busy family lifestyle. We believe in sharing our success, time and talents. But the environment it created was very healthy, and I ultimately wanted to have that opportunity for my kids and family.”. “It’s easy to be isolated, to stay in your little world and not have your eyes opened to the bigger picture. This recipe is ready in less than an hour! Nathan, Madeline and Bob Bender. Our state-of-the-art growing, production, and storage facilities are located in A big part of that for David and Bryan has been in-depth involvement in local, state and national trade organizations. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Spray a 9X13″ baking dish with cooking spray.2. January 5, 2016. Cook the eggs in your pan while the potatoes are heating up which will take about 5 minutes. Community Matters. With the knowledge and well-depicted recycling information from How2Recycle, our packaging will now provide our consumers the best information to assist them in making informed choices regarding their bite-size potato packaging recyclability. Fresh Solutions Network lets its growers tell their stories to consumers, Grower of the Month: Michael Family Farms of Urbana, Ohio. Company. Layer ½ the potatoes in the baking dish and pour ½ the creamy sauce over the potatoes. Given that, it should come as no surprise that they have revolutionized … Bender Potatoes will continue to be sold in local stores and markets. “It was only the large ones that you could make into potato chips,” said Nathan. In the field or in our community. A lot of farm kids—probably a healthy majority—spend a good portion of their youth grumbling about the long hours, the low wages, the heat, the cold. News. Yes, this year there will be potato pancakes. Place the potatoes in a bowl. Water that cannot be redistributed to the wash line, is then applied to our crops in the field. There are a lot of life lessons to learn: hard work, being faithful, being a good steward. Owning the entire planting, growing, harvesting and packaging process ensures our high standards of quality, flavor, freshness, size uniformity and best practices for sustainability are maintained. Don't be caught without them. As it does in so many other regions, the climate in south-central Pennsylvania poses challenges to producing quality potatoes. “We would like to grow more acres, but we have a hard time finding it around here sometimes.”. “Personally,” he continues, “the camaraderie, the getting to know other growers around the country is great. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes or until the top of potatoes are brown and sauce is bubbling. In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce. As a company, we have cut down water waste by transitioning 2,000 acres from a flood irrigation system to linear irrigation. “Once you get into carrots and trying to germinate carrots, it's a totally different ball game than just growing potatoes,” Bender said. Add the spring onions, egg, salt, pepper, and cream and mix to combine, while mashing the potatoes slightly. This involves planting, growing and harvesting 10 to 14 varieties from seed sent from Pennsylvania State University under the same conditions as the rest of the farm’s chip potatoes, treating those varieties as the Benders would treat their own crop. Most of the Benders’ chip potatoes are sold to Utz, though some go to other, smaller East Coast chip processors. Please click on Support/FAQ on the bottom right. This easy potato appetizer makes the best party potatoes. family life by On a Life Bender December 20, 2019 December 24, 2019 Here’s to tradition with a twist this holiday season. Bender Farms grows about 140 acres of potatoes each year. Add the remaining potatoes and top with the rest of the sauce. Bender's Potato & Produce Barn 1120 Lincoln Way E, Chambersburg, PA 17201 - YP.com. Bender Farms grows about 140 acres of potatoes each year. Related Pages See All. Honey orders can be made by calling (717) 264-6720. Linear irrigation is more efficient by irrigating up to 98 percent of the in a more efficient and equally distributed manner. The Bender clan are potato people. He holds hope, for examples, that the trial program will ultimately find a replacement for Atlantic, a variety popular with chip processors but that is susceptible in the field to hollow heart and heat necrosis. David has served on the Pennsylvania potato research board and currently sits on the board of the Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers. Community. Our involvement gives a lot of motivation and vision of the possibilities. After high school, Bender attended Coastal Carolina University and then had a good job in North Carolina. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise (the longer way), and scoop the flesh into a large bowl. This soup tastes just like loaded baked potatoes! For 100 years, the Worley family has thrived growing potatoes in the rich soils of Colorado’s San Luis Valley. Along with the turkey and stuffing, Papa Bender made basic mashed potatoes – with milk and light butter – and a somewhat untraditional caprese salad with tomatoes, black olives and mozzarella. This article appears in the June 2018 issue of Potato Grower. Make sure to leave some chunks of potatoes. For the past few years, a small plot in one of Bender’s potato fields has been dedicated to testing for the International Chip Variety Trials. “It’s hard to grow a high-yielding, quality crop,” says Bryan. The Great Potatoes. He and his teenage son, Nathan, would often bring home the baby size potatoes that didn’t make grade because of their size. “When I was a kid, I didn’t want to dig potatoes and move irrigation pipe,” Bender says. – is always the Broccoli – Cheez Casserole . The larger potatoes are stored in the shed for now under dry straw to … Nutritional Info – English. Nutritional Info – French. Pairing with growers across the country and the world, he expanded his knowledge of planting, growing and harvesting. We are able to eliminate up to eight tractors a day! We are able to eliminate up to eight tractors a day. In addition to our sustainable practices, we want to make recycling easier for you. But the cream of the crop – quite literally! Wholesale orders of potatoes can be made by emailimg [email protected] or calling (717) 264-6720. Hotels near Bender Potatoes, Chambersburg on Tripadvisor: Find 5,854 traveler reviews, 2,844 candid photos, and prices for 319 hotels near Bender Potatoes in Chambersburg, PA. Aimee Bender’s Willful Creatures conjures a fantastical world in which authentic love blooms. Sustainability. Second and quicker method – Heat the potatoes in the microwave until heated through. We’re trying to be good stewards. “We are doing our part to help the environment by reducing waste and consuming less. The Bender family is nothing if not adaptable—they pride themselves on that particular trait, and it has enabled the farm to be a success for well over a century. Product Locator. THE Bender family in America are experts in potato growing, from chipping to table varieties, and have revolutionized the way the way the US thinks about, cooks, and consumes potatoes. Located along Interstate 81, the Benders began growing potatoes more than two decades ago and selling them in many local stores. Gets a bit boring. We pioneered bite-size potatoes as a convenient source of nutrition, flavor versatility and variety for everyday meals. From raising tubers especially for potato chips to the everyday table spud, they are experts in growing America’s most popular root vegetable. Ultimately, though, it all comes back to working together on that piece of land outside Chambersburg—that piece of land that has been home to the Benders for so long. Contact. Canned goods are a kitchen staple. How2Recycle is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to consumers. On top of efficiency, linear irrigation uses 60 percent less water. Q: I just got a hand-held immersion blender for a holiday gift, and I’m quite excited about it.I’ve heard that it’s the best tool for making incredibly light whipped potatoes — but I can’t find a good recipe! Learn more about How2RecycleFind your store drop off location. As potato farmers from Nebraska, my father and I would pick out the small potatoes after each harvest and take them home by the bucket full. Tasteful Selections® began with multi-generational potato farmers who recognized an opportunity to expand the potato category to meet the busy consumer’s preference for simpler, convenient meals. With a visit to Bender's Potato & Produce Barn in Chambersburg, you'll be able to find all of the groceries you and your family need to keep everyone nourished for days or weeks at a time. This is a place where a boy with keys for fingers is a hero, a woman’s children are potatoes, and a little boy with an iron for a head is born to a family of pumpkin heads. And this novel celebrates that in fine style. Executive Chef/Owner Riccardo Mavuli from Gusto's Trattoria shows us how to make Grilled Hatfield Reserve Pork Chop with Potato Hash, just in time for Mother's Day. Pureeing your potatoes in a blender or food processor seems like a good idea at first. F. 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