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The roots of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board can be traced as far back as 1920, when the first Potato Growers’ Association was formed on Prince Edward Island. Less than a year later, this association was promoting a cooperative marketing system for potatoes. By 1924, members of the Potato Growers’ Association reached agreement to market their Number One seed potatoes (Irish Cobbler and Green Mountain varieties) through the Association. By 1929, the Association numbered 2,500 producers, moving approximately 1.4 million bushels of potatoes, and the future of the Association and the stability of the potato industry seemed secure. However, between 1929 and 1934, an attempt by the Association to introduce a voluntary price-pooling system was countered by dealers who simply offered higher prices to the growers. This so undercut the Potato Growers’ Association that in 1935, the Association’s potato pool ended. No further attempts were made to organize a comprehensive potato marketing system on PEI until 1950.

In 1949, the Agricultural Products Marketing Act was enacted by Parliament. In February 1950, the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture proposed that marketing boards be set up for potatoes, poultry and eggs under the new Federal legislation. The Federation suggested that a plebiscite be held to determine farmer support for such Boards, and set out a detailed plan for their operation.

Despite a mixed and sometimes hostile reaction at public meetings to discuss the plan, a plebiscite held in March 1950 showed almost unanimous support for the creation of a potato marketing board (6,723 votes in favour, 35 against). On August 18, 1950 the Prince Edward Island Potato Marketing Board was established.

Since that time the Prince Edward Island Potato Board has undergone many changes in adapting to industry needs and desires, and changes in federal and provincial legislation. The current Prince Edward Island Potato Board was installed in July 1990 to operate as a producer controlled Board under the Natural Products Marketing Act.