News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Northern America

May 16, 2009

Solanyl Biopolymers Inc turns potato starch into biodegradable plastics

When waste byproducts are recycled and reused, it is always good for the environment. That means potato product producers in Portage la Prairie are doing some good things for the environment. Simplot Canada Ltd. in Portage la Prairie goes through a...

May 15, 2009

US Potato Stocks down 10% from May 2008

The 13 major US potato States held 115 million cwt of potatoes in storage April 1, 2009, down 9 percent from a year ago and 5 percent below April 1, 2007. Potatoes in storage accounted for 31 percent of the 2008 fall storage States' production, slight...

May 12, 2009

Washington State Governor urges Obama to resolve trucking dispute with Mexico

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is urging the Obama administration to quickly resolve a trucking dispute with Mexico to aid export of Washington farm products, including frozen potatoes, that are now the target of the 20 percent duty.Canadian potato gro...

May 11, 2009

Canadian Agriculture minister disputes PEI potato board's numbers

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is taking issue with the P.E.I. Potato Board's interpretation of how much money has been paid out for crops ruined by rain last summer. In October, a $12.4- million compensation plan was announced, cost-shared b...

May 07, 2009

The Future of Fried Foods

Deep Fried Foods - such as French Fries - form a key part of the menu in most restaurants. However, as consumers become more health conscious, they may be looking for healthier menu options.

May 07, 2009

Idaho Potato growers adjust expectations

Idaho potato farmers are planting the state's signature crop, and some are making changes based on reduced processing contracts.Processors that make french fries and other frozen potato products have reduced overall contracted potato acreage in the Nor...

April 16, 2009

US potato Stocks: use of potatoes for dehydrated products low

The 13 major potato States held 115 million cwt of potatoes in storage April 1, 2009, down 9 percent from a year ago and 5 percent below April 1, 2007. Potatoes in storage accounted for 31 percent of the 2008 fall storage States' production, slightly b...

April 11, 2009

Be careful working with industrial fryers

A 28-year-old man who works at the Cavendish Farms french fry plant in Jamestown was airlifted to the Minneapolis St. Paul burn unit on Thursday evening following a workplace accident, WDAY reported Friday.

April 07, 2009

Equipment Change at Burger King creates New Opportunities

For decades, Burger King has relied on the same conveyor oven technology to provide its signature flame-broiled flavor profile. But that technique, originally designed to cook the brand’s Whoppers, also limited the types of product offerings the chain ...

April 06, 2009

Potato Prices

What is the 'right' price for potatoes for processing?
In the classic model price is determined by supply and demand. Several models exist.
But the reality is even more complex.

April 05, 2009

Want Salad With That? Make It Fries

Fast-food chains have recently deflected criticism of their menu offerings by adding healthy items like salads. But a paper soon to be released in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that the presence of healthy options on a menu can induce some ...

April 02, 2009

McDonald's empieza a reducir el uso de pesticidas

McDonald's Corp, el mayor comprador de la papa en los Estados Unidos, ha acordado adoptar los primeros pasos para reducir el uso de plaguicidas en las explotaciones de sus proveedores nacionales, dijo el martes un grupo de accionistas . Tras el acuer...

March 31, 2009

McDonald's to take steps to cut potato pesticides

McDonald's Corp, the largest purchaser of potatoes in the United States, has agreed to take preliminary steps to reduce pesticide use in its domestic potato supply, shareholder groups said on Tuesday. Following the agreement, the Bard College Endowme...

March 26, 2009

Conagra Foods reports higher sales at Lamb Weston in 3Q (Nov 22-Feb 22)

ConAgra Foods, Inc. today reported results for the fiscal 2009 third quarter ended Feb. 22, 2009. Overall sales grew 6%. Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.43 for the quarter, an increase of 26% from prior-year levels of $0.34. Excluding $0...

Lamb Weston Sweet Things (Sweet Potato Battered Tri-Cut Dices)

March 24, 2009

Sweet Potato Fries boost sweet potatoes in Foodservice

Three words can sum up the increasing popularity of sweet potatoes in the foodservice industry: sweet potato fries.They’re stars on restaurant menus across the country, and some fine dining establishments are pursuing different fresh-cut angles and co...

March 22, 2009

National Potato Council - US frozen potato exports to Mexico will decline after truck funding elimination

The National Potato Council (NPC) is calling on the Obama Administration and Congress to either reinstate the funding required to continue the pilot program allowing Mexican trucks into a limited area within U.S. border states or to quickly develop an ...

Idaho Potato growing locations (Idaho Potato Commission)

March 20, 2009

Idaho Potato growers agree to modified contracts with Processors

Idaho potato growers have agreed to contract modifications with major processors in an effort to break an impasse with Lamb Weston, a division of ConAgra Foods.Producers voted Tuesday, March 17, to approve changes in the 2009 contracts during a meeting...

March 19, 2009

Fries face competition in Tennessee school cafeterias with $1.4M veggie grant

French fries and pizza may soon have more competition in school cafeterias in Tennessee.Grants worth $1.4 million in public dollars are being used to spur fresh vegetable consumption at some Tennessee public schools next school year. Priority will be g...