News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Northern America

H.J. Heinz Company and Kraft Foods Group, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create The Kraft Heinz Company, forming the third largest food and beverage company in North America with an unparalleled portfolio of iconic brands.

New research from an Iowa State University economist, Wallace Huffman, found consumers were willing to spend more for genetically modified potato products with reduced levels of a chemical compound linked to cancer.

The first line of J.R. Simplot Co.'s genetically modified potatoes has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration as safe for human consumption. The voluntary FDA safety review found that the potatoes are as safe and nutritious as conventional potatoes.

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) announced the winners of its 2015 Sustainable Development Awards yesterday, an internal awards program that drives and rewards imaginative approaches to sustainability and produces bottom line business results.

A new University of Michigan study confirms what has long been suspected: highly processed foods like chocolate, pizza and French fries are among the most addictive.

When Leah Cook and her family moved to the St. John Valley 15 years ago and took up organic gardening and raising animals on their Grand Isle farm, she said more than one resident dismissed them as “hippy farmers.”

Columbia Basin potato processors slowed down during the West Coast port impasse, making fewer potatoes into french fries, hash browns and other potato products shipped around the world.

According to a new market report “Global Market Study on Frozen Food: Frozen Ready Meals to be the Largest Segment by 2020” published by Persistence Market Research, the global frozen food market was valued at $122.1 billion in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of $156.4 billion in 2020.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. is announcing today Sean M. Connolly as its new chief executive officer. Connolly will replace Gary M. Rodkin, current CEO of ConAgra Foods, effective April 6.

Rodney McCrum, president and chief operating officer of Pineland Farms Naturally Potatoes, says he is dedicated to growing the company he started with a dozen other potato farmers in 1995.

Heinz Frozen Foods, manufacturer of the Ore-Ida retail brand is changing the procurement process for the potatoes for its Ontario, OR potato processing plant. Heinz will now contract with the Oregon Potato Company, Pasco, Washington.

A long-time potato farmer in Ontario, Canada is getting into the french fry business. Gerry Philippe's new product — called Farmhouse Fresh Fries — are partially cooked in oil and put in a pouch, but they are never frozen.

New Research Confirms French Fried Potatoes Are Not a Source of Trans Fat

Late December, Potato Processor Cavendish Farms detected again sewing needles stuck in potatoes processed at its New Annan plant on Prince Edward Island.

Port disruptions on the West Coast due to labor contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) are hurting Idaho agriculture and Idaho’s exporters.

The 13 major US potato States held 263 million cwt of potatoes in storage December 1, 2014, down 3 percent from 2 years
ago.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) received an allocation of $4,998,892 in program year 2015 Market Access Program (MAP) funds from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at USDA. These funds will be used by the USPB to promote frozen, dehydrated, chip-stock, table-stock and seed potatoes in over 25 countries around the world.

Alexia Foods, a line of premium, all-natural frozen potatoes, breads and side dishes, is introducing the latest stars of the table – new Alexia Premium Seasoned Vegetables and Rib Cut BBQ Sweet Potato Fries.