The potato got a boost today in the U.S.Senate.

An amendment passed today to an agriculture appropriations bill prevents the U.S. Department of Agriculture from moving forward with a rule that would limit potato consumption to one cup a week in public schools. Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, whose own state thinks it grows better potatoes than we do in Idaho, has repeatedly objected to the USDA’s proposed rule.

Snowe has written Michelle Obama to complain the rule is not based on sound nutritional science and is based on the false premise that potatoes served in schools are deep fried. In fact, she said, most are baked or mashed.

Idaho Republican Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined her potato crusade based on the view popular in both states and other producers like Colorado and Wisconsin that the potato is a great source of potassium and fiber. People in the Big Potato (that's Idaho Falls, not Boise) share Snowe's views and I'm sure are pleased she, Crapo, Risch and others have stood up for the potato, Russet Burbank or not.