Wisconsin’s traveling billboard and mobile education unit officially has a facelift! The 37.5-foot RV that is appropriately called “The Wisconsin Spudmobile,” is showing off its brand-new exterior wrap which will debut in none other than the potato country of Stevens Point. The vehicle will be parked at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center (1001 Amber Ave.) for the Grower Education Conference and Industry Show February 5 and 6.
The updated wrap continues to tell a “field to fork” story with an image of a Wisconsin potato field and medley of fresh red and golden potatoes across the bottom, and a prepared dish of the roasted red and golden potatoes seasoned with rosemary. On the driver’s side, the Wisconsin potato field and medley continue with featured loaded baked russet potatoes as the prepared dish.
Both sides feature the call to action, “Ask for Wisconsin Potatoes,” “Healthy Grown” which refers to Wisconsin’s sustainable and environmentally-friendly grower program and “Mobile Education Unit,” to serve as a description of the vehicle as people see it driving down the road. The vehicle’s social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are also represented for anyone to follow the vehicle on its journeys throughout the year.
On the back of the vehicle is a “Powered by Wisconsin Potatoes” logo over a black background with “Wisconsin Spudmobile” in red letters and a white outline that represents Badger red and white from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a school the potato industry has strong ties to through potato research and education.
As Director of Promotions for the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), Dana Rady says this update is a great way to celebrate another year on the road. “The Spudmobile is truly one of our most valuable assets in communicating directly with consumers about where their food comes from,” Rady says. “Updating the wrap is helping to keep the vehicle’s vitality alive as it continues to successfully educate people about potato nutrition, how and where potatoes are produced and the many ways to prepare healthy, easy and delicious Wisconsin potato dishes.”
Darci Laudenbach of CC Graphics in Wisconsin Rapids designed, printed and installed the new wrap. She says the Wisconsin potato industry has always been an important part of her family and family business. “Having the opportunity to be part of the Spudmobile was such an honor,” Laudenbach says. “A lot of work happens behind the scenes to make something like this come to life. It’s exciting to see the final product and I can honestly say I am happy with the results!”
Laudenbach and her team spent about a week removing the current wrap while also printing and installing the new one. Rady says she couldn’t be happier with the results.
“It’s very exciting that the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers will get a firsthand look at the new wrap this week in Stevens Point. With such a classy look, it will not disappoint.”
Rady adds that more updates for the vehicle are coming in 2019 as it relates to the interior. For now she says the industry is celebrating this milestone and looking forward to many more.
