Favorable harvests and modernized technology propel the potato packer into its next chapter.

NoKota Packers Inc., based in Buxton, North Dakota, began 2025 by marking its 45th anniversary and unveiling a new company logo that symbolizes fresh ownership and forward looking changes.

Building on the success of its 2024 season, which saw favorable growing conditions and improved technology, the company is moving confidently into its next chapter.

The new logo was officially launched on January 1, 2025, following a series of significant updates to the NoKota Packers facility that enabled greater production efficiency and profitability throughout 2024.

The 2024 harvest proved fruitful, with average and above average yields in the Red River Valley.

After dealing with drier years in the past, this turn of events reinforced the company’s commitment to ongoing improvements in packaging lines and automation.

NoKota Packers completed a 20 year old packaging line upgrade, added a robotic stacker at the end of the two main packing lines, and installed a modernized optical sorter on the wash line.

These investments in technological innovation allow the company to produce more finished products daily, benefiting both growers and customers.

Founded in 1979, NoKota Packers began its operations by shipping 220,000 hundredweight of potatoes and employing 18 people during its first season.

It now collaborates with nine growing operations, shipping over 600,000 hundredweight of potatoes.

The organization attributes its growth to the continuing trust of premier potato growers throughout the Red River Valley, where the farming environment supports a robust supply of red potatoes known for their consistent quality.

“For 45 years, we have been known to provide the best spuds in our area. We decided that celebrating this important milestone is the right time to reveal a new logo that reflects the new ownership and the advancements NoKota Packers has made. We simplified the look and added Buxton, ND to honor our location in the Red River Valley. The maroon/red color honors the tradition of our red potatoes, the green signifies the plant and sustainability, and the updated font gives it a modern look and feel.”

Carissa Olsen, President and CEO of NoKota Packers.

In addition to enhancing its facilities, NoKota Packers is focused on sustaining quality potato production by leaning into technology and automation.

These measures, along with the possibility of future expansion, are designed to ensure the company can keep up with demand and maintain the high standards for which it is known.

The Red River Valley’s favorable conditions played a key role in last year’s success, and NoKota Packers aims to capitalize on similar conditions in the coming seasons, applying new technologies to meet the challenges of varying weather and market fluctuations.

The company’s dedication to quality and service extends to every segment of the potato industry.

Whether supplying retail, wholesale, food service, or re-packers, NoKota Packers has built a reputation for reliability and professionalism.

With a state of the art facility in Buxton and partnerships throughout the Red River Valley, Central Minnesota, and Fresh Solutions Network national partner locations, it has the infrastructure to serve a broad and growing clientele.

One of the company’s priorities is continuing to refine processes that maximize yield, minimize waste, and ensure that each shipment meets customer expectations.

Looking ahead, NoKota Packers plans to leverage the successes of 2024 while taking steps to secure even greater efficiency.

Automation remains a central focus: the updated optical sorter is already making it easier to identify top grade potatoes, while the newly added robotic stacker reduces manual labor requirements.

This technological progress frees up the team to concentrate on aspects of the business that benefit most from human oversight, such as cultivating relationships with growers and buyers.

By merging tradition with innovation, NoKota Packers strives to carry its 45 year legacy well into the future.