Phoebe Harrison, age 10, of Pittsfield, Mass., for her question:

DOES THE POTATO HAVE MUCH FOOD VALUE?

The potato is one of the world's most valued and most widely grown vegetables. The potato is rich in nutrients. Starch accounts for about 85 percent of the potato's solid matter with about 10 percent being protein. Also contained are the vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid and a small trace of vitamin A. Many other elements including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium are also present in potatoes.

Contrary to a common belief, potatoes are not especially fattening. A medium size raw potato contains only about 70 calories. About 80 percent of the potato is water.

About 11 billion bushels of potatoes are grown each year throughout the world. They are most widely used as a table food.

Here are the 10 leading potato growing states and provinces listed in order of their importance: Idaho, Washington, Maine, California, North Dakota, Oregon, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin and New Brunswick.

The United States is the fifth leading potato growing country in the world. Heading the list is Russia, followed by Poland, China and West Germany.