News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Northern America

The US Agency for International Development has awarded Michigan State University (MSU) a $5.8 million cooperative agreement to improve potato production in Bangladesh and Indonesia. Additional partners include the University of Minnesota and J.R. Simplot as well as in-country partners in both Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Based on a review of the recently released Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) agreement text, the National Potato Council (NPC) strongly supports the trade deal reached with
Australia, Brunei, Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore
and Vietnam.

Cara Operations Limited completes acquisition of New York Fries, Canada's premium fresh cut french fry chain.

Renaissance Ingredients Inc. shows the results of its in-house, laboratory-scale analysis of the efficacy of its non-GMO acrylamide-reducing baker’s yeast for applications in the potato industry.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its private label operations to TreeHouse Foods for approximately $2.7 billion

Last Friday, Conagra Foods detailed broad measures, including layoffs, early retirement incentives and cuts to travel and catering, in its bid to save money and boost shareholder return, with the city of Omaha in particular affected.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. today announced restructuring plans to improve profitability, advance its growth agenda and unlock shareholder value. The restructuring includes the elimination of around 1,500 jobs (30% of the company’s global office-based workforce). Conagra Foods also announced the relocation of its headquarters to Chicago.

ConAgra Foods Chief Executive Sean Connolly is addressing shareholders this morning at an annual meeting at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced it has issued its 2015 Citizenship Report. The report tracks progress on the company's three-pronged Citizenship platform: Good Food, Stronger Communities and Better Planet.

Today ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the fiscal 2016 first quarter ended August 30, 2015. The report refers to 'good sales and operating profit performance [for its commercial Foods Segment], primarily due to strong volumes, favorable mix, and efficiencies for Lamb Weston.

This year, potato yields should be slightly above average in the Canadian prairie provinces Manitoba and Alberta, but figures aren’t available because the harvest is only 10 to 15 percent complete.

REYCO Systems® and its partner companies Idaho Steel Products and Kiremko today announced the release of the EcoMiser™ Oil Removal System.

In a new Ranker poll, the potato tops the competition as the peoples’ #1 favorite vegetable. As such, potatoes hold an important position on foodservice menus as a foundation for profitable snacks, appetizers, side dishes, and entrées.

A UK company that manufactures machines that help restaurants make fresh-cut french fries is launching into the North American market with a small plant in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Kraft Heinz says it is cutting about 2,500 jobs in the United States and Canada as part of its plan to slash costs after the food companies combined.

A fire chief credits quick action by employees for a short interruption of work at a McCain potato processing plant in Plover, Wisconsin.

Representatives from McCain Foods are excited about a new project under way in Aroostook County that has some farmers planting their usual acreage of potatoes right on top of a bed of winter rye, barley or oats.

While the rest of the agriculture sector nervously eyes the oil melt-down, the french fry industry in Canada might actually be poised for a comeback