Politics & Government

Derry Students Help Establish New NH Veggie

Students from Derry Village School will join Gov. Maggie Hassan at a bill signing today.

A group of Derry students will join Gov. Maggie Hassan this morning for the signing of a bill establishing the white potato as the state vegetable.

Hassan and the students will attend a signing ceremony for HB 535 at 11:20 a.m. in Governor and Council Chambers at the Statehouse in Concord.

New Hampshire lawmakers in both chambers adopted a bill earlier this year to make the white potato–Solanum tuberosum–the official state vegetable. Senators on May 2 passed House Bill 535 on a voice vote. Back in February, the House voted 276-75 to pass the bill.

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The bill originated as a legislative request by fourth-graders at Derry Village School. It's intent is as a celebration of Derry being where the first white potato was grown in North America, according to Rep. John T. O'Connor, R-Derry, a co-sponsor of the bill.

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