In the opening paragraph, I will answer some common questions about potato sticks upfront. Yes, potato sticks are still made by several companies today. Mainly mass-produced by large snack food corporations, potato sticks rose to prominence in the early 20th century. While their popularity has waned over the decades, potato sticks still have a loyal following among snackers looking for a crunchy, salty, savory snack.
History of Potato Sticks
Potato sticks, also sometimes called potato straws, are a thin, crunchy potato snack food. They resemble french fries, only elongated and flattened to achieve their signature wispy, crunchy texture. While potato chips dominate the potato snack market today, potato sticks were one of the original mass-produced potato snack foods.
The beginning of the potato stick traces back to the 1920s. In 1926, a company called Adams Potato Chips based in Dayton, Ohio introduced a potato stick product to complement their potato chips. These early potato sticks were packaged in small envelopes and sold door-to-door or out of street carts by salesmen.
Popularity in the Early-Mid 20th Century
Potato sticks quickly caught on as a popular snack during the early 20th century. Large snack food companies started mass producing potato sticks to meet demand. Wise Foods, founded in 1921, started making potato sticks in addition to their chips and other snacks. Potato sticks also aligned well with vending machines, allowing for mass market distribution.
During World War II, potato sticks were a patriotic snack choice. Potato sticks were a good alternative when there were potato shortages since they used smaller potatoes. The low moisture content also gave them a longer shelf life than traditional potato chips.
Throughout the 1940s-1960s, potato sticks maintained steady popularity. Brands like Wise, Frito-Lay, and Kar’s Nuts capitalized on innovations in commercial potato chip manufacturing to mass produce potato sticks for convenience stores, vending machines, and the emerging supermarket channels.
Decline Beginning in the 1970s
However, beginning in the 1970s, potato sticks started to decline in popularity. Potato chips surged ahead as the favored thin, crispy potato snack. Several factors contributed to this shift:
– Potato chips had more mass market appeal with their abundance of flavor varieties. Potato sticks were viewed as more plain and one-note.
– Advances in commercial frying and flavoring technology benefited potato chips. Companies could make thinner, crunchier potato chips in exciting flavors.
– Potato chips offered more visual variety and appeal coming in rippled, wavy, and kettle cooked styles. The uniform potato stick shape seemed boring by comparison.
– Potato chips were marketed as the indulgent potato snack option with fun flavors like barbecue, salt and vinegar, and sour cream and onion.
By the 1980s, potato chips substantially overtook potato sticks in sales and popularity. Big brands like Frito-Lay and Wise shifted focus to potato chips and relegated potato sticks to a niche, low-priority product.
Present Day Potato Stick Landscape
While no longer enjoying the immense popularity of their early 20th century heyday, potato sticks are still produced today. A few brands have maintained potato sticks as part of their product portfolio, keeping this crunchy snack alive for nostalgic snackers.
Which Companies Still Make Potato Sticks?
Here are some of the major mass market snack brands that still produce potato sticks today:
| Company | Potato Stick Brands |
|---|---|
| Frito-Lay | Lay’s Potato Sticks |
| Wise Foods | Wise Ridgies Potato Sticks |
| Utz | Utz Potato Stix |
| Herr’s | Herr’s Potato Sticks |
| Kar’s Nuts | Kar’s Potato Sticks |
Frito-Lay, Wise, Utz, Herr’s, and Kar’s Nuts are some of the major snack brands keeping potato sticks alive today, albeit as a small part of their product lineup. These brands all introduced their signature potato stick varieties during the early-mid 20th century potato stick boom. While potato sticks represent only a tiny fraction of snack sales for these companies today, they keep producing them for long-time fans.
Other Smaller and Regional Potato Stick Brands
In addition to the big national snack brands, some smaller and regional companies also still produce potato sticks. These include:
– Sterzing’s Potato Chips – A regional potato chip company based in Indiana; they make Sterzing’s Fine Potato Sticks
– TFW Foods – Maker of Crown Premium Potato Sticks under the Crown brand, a popular Midwestern snack name
– Old Dutch – Canadian snack brand whose potato sticks are a favorite in parts of Canada and the northern U.S.
– Good’s Potato Chips – Pennsylvania family-owned chip company offering Good’s Potato Stix
– Cantera Negra – A gourmet potato chip and snack company in New York; they hand-cook crunchy Shoestring Potatoes
– Uncle Ray’s – Minnesota snack maker Uncle Ray’s sells crunchy potato straws
While these smaller companies lack the distribution power of the major brands, their potato sticks have loyal local followings in their markets. Fans seek out these niche brands for authentic, old-fashioned potato stick snacks.
Specialty, Artisanal, and Farmers Market Potato Sticks
In addition to mass-produced and regional potato sticks, some specialty and artisanal brands also make hand-crafted versions. These upscale potato sticks target consumers wanting premium, locally-made snacks.
For example, craft potato chip brands like Dirty Potato Chips, Seattle Potato Chips, and Black Rock Chips make handcooked potato sticks in small batches. Boutique brands like Truffle Central offer gourmet potato sticks dusted with black truffles. Several farmers market vendors make potato sticks cooked in kettles, often with added seasonings. These specialty options provide elevated versions of potato sticks for discerning shoppers.
International Potato Stick Brands
While the classic American potato stick peaked in the mid-20th century, variations of potato sticks can be found internationally. For instance, a Swedish snack called Pome ships, meaning potato sticks. Companies like Estrella in Spain and a few Asian snack brands produce thinly sliced potato crunchy snacks.
So while the American-style potato stick has declined from its peak popularity, similar potato-based snacks can be found around the world. These products reflect the global appeal of thin, crunchy, fried potato snacks.
Why Potato Sticks Have Declined in Popularity
It’s clear potato sticks are no longer the potato snack heavyweight they once were in the early 20th century. Here are some of the key factors in their declining popularity over the decades:
Plain Flavor Profile
One of the main reasons potato sticks lost their appeal is their plain flavor. Most potato sticks consist of potatoes, oil, and salt. While they offer an appealing crunch, their flavor is one-dimensional.
In contrast, potato chips now come in endless flavor varieties like salsa, honey barbecue, lime and jalapeno, and everything bagel. The explosion of potato chip flavors left humble potato sticks seeming boring by comparison.
Lack of Variety
Similarly, potato chips now come in various shapes, colors, cooking styles. Rippled, wavy, and kettle chips offer visual variety. Potato sticks look largely the same – thin, short, beige sticks. The uniformity once again makes them seem boring next to the diverse potato chip options.
Perceived as Less Indulgent
Today’s snackers often choose treats that feel indulgent and special. Potato chips fit that need with their rich flavors and craveworthy texture. Meanwhile, potato sticks feel like a plain, utilitarian snack by comparison. Their no-frills vibe makes them less exciting as a snack.
Rise of New Snack Options
Potato sticks also faced a lot more competition over the decades as more snack types emerged. Pretzels, cheese snacks, granola bars, nuts, and popcorn all eroded market share. Potato sticks got lost in the mix of so many convenient, satisfying snack alternatives.
Lack of Marketing Investment
As big brands put marketing muscle behind potato chips, little advertising went to promote potato sticks. So even loyal fans were less aware of potato stick options compared to the hyped potato chip varieties. Minimal brand investment contributed to declining sales.
Signs of a Potato Stick Revival
It’s clear potato sticks will never regain the immense popularity they once enjoyed in the early days of mass-produced snack foods. However, some signs point to renewed interest in this vintage snack style.
Nostalgia Snacking Trend
One major snack trend is nostalgia. Shoppers increasingly seek out retro snack brands they remember from childhood. Potato sticks fit right into this nostalgia snacking movement. Trying brands like Wise Ridgies or Kar’s Potato Sticks transports snackers back in time.
Snacking with a Purpose
Another trend is snacking more intentionally. Rather than constant mindless snacking, people want snack times to feel special. The nostalgia factor makes potato sticks a purposeful choice. They provide an intentional break for a treat with happy memories.
Growing Popularity of Crawtators and Puffed Snacks
Related crunchy, starchy snack styles like crawtators and puffed cheese snacks have taken off recently. This indicates consumer demand for lighter, crunchy carb-based snacks beyond potato chips. Potato sticks could ride this wave of interest in crawtators and puffs.
Focus on Quality Ingredients
Today’s snackers also scrutinize ingredients more closely. Shoppers want recognizable, simple whole food in their snacks. This aligns with potato sticks’ core potato appeal. Their typically short ingredient list resonates with the shift towards clean snacking.
Potato Obsession Continues
Potato snacks remain popular with consumers. Potato chips still dominate snack sales. Shoppers can’t get enough of fries, tater tots, and other potato favorites. As potato cravings continue, potato sticks could attract those seeking new spud snacks.
The Future for Potato Sticks
Potato sticks are now considered an old-fashioned, niche snack. But they retain a devoted fan base drawn to their crunchy, salty, potato flavor. Several signs point to ongoing interest in potato sticks from nostalgic snackers and those seeking quality ingredients.
Some brands do still actively market potato sticks, like:
– Herr’s promoting their Slow Kettled Potato Sticks, a thicker cut
– Utz advertising the retro appeal of Potato Stix
– Frito-Lay highlighting limited batch Lay’s Kettle Cooked Sticks
Supported by company investment and public nostalgia for retro snacks, potato sticks will likely remain a niche category. While they won’t regain top snack status, potato sticks satisfy crisp snack cravings for long-time fans. Those looking for crunch without the added flavors and oils of chips appreciate their classic simplicity.
The potato stick stands as an icon of early convenience snack foods. Later eclipsed by potato chips, this crunchy spud snack is kept alive largely by nostalgia. Thanks to brands leveraging consumer memories and demand for quality, humble potato sticks soldier on as an enduring remnant of snack history.
Conclusion
Potato sticks rose to popularity as America’s early mass-produced snack food. Though now overshadowed by potato chips, potato sticks are still produced today by major brands and smaller regional companies. Their straightforward flavor and ingredient appeal to fans of traditional snacks. And potato sticks satisfy crispy snack cravings for those not wanting the richer indulgence of chips. While no longer the snack titan they once were, potato sticks hold nostalgia appeal for longtime lovers of this crunchy classic.