Potato News from Canada

January 29, 2015

Fresh - never frozen - french fries are coming to Canada

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.

January 18, 2015

Ontario Teacher's pension plan acquires majority stake in Shearer's Foods

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan announced the acquisition of an additional equity stake in Shearer's Snacks from Wind Point Partners, resulting in a significant majority ownership.

January 04, 2015

Cavendish Farms again finds needles in potatoes - not from Linkletter Farms this time.

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

Gary Linkletter, general manager of Linkletter Farms

December 23, 2014

Linkletter Farms back up and running

Linkletter Farms is finally back up and running after two months of being at the centre of a large-scale food tampering incident that reached across Atlantic Canada.

December 11, 2014

Alex Docherty elected new Chairman Prince Edward Island Potato Board

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board has elected a new executive during its December 10th Board of Directors meeting. Alex Docherty of Elmwood was elected the new Chairman of the Board, succeeding Gary Linkletter, who completed four years as Chairman.

December 10, 2014

Reward Doubled for tips leading to arrest culprit sewing needles in potatoes

The reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of anyone who put sewing needles in Prince Edward Island potatoes has doubled to CAD 100.000

December 09, 2014

Tim Hortons Shareholders approve deal with Burger King to form 'Restaurant Brands International'

Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX, NYSE: THI) today announced the company's shareholders have approved the transaction with Burger King Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: BKW) that will create a new global quick service restaurant leader, to be named Restaurant Brands International.

December 09, 2014

McGill study: Potato extract reduces weight gain to surprising extent

A simple potato extract may limit weight gain from a diet that is high in fat and refined carbohydrates, according to scientists at McGill University. The results of their recent study were so surprising that the investigators repeated the experiment just to be sure.

Potato production grows by almost five per cent

December 07, 2014

Potato production Prince Edward Island grows almost five per cent

Prince Edward Island potato production has grown by almost five per cent this year following a good growing year and successful harvest.

December 01, 2014

Stop French Fry theft with the McDonald's Fry Defender app

Fry theft is prevalent across Canada, which is why McDonald’s Canada introduced today the Fry Defender, the world’s first French fry security system that helps stop fry theft.

December 01, 2014

The economic impact of the potato industry in Manitoba

The economic importance of the Manitoba Potato Industry comes to light in a study prepared by Informa Economics, The Economic Contributions of the Manitoba Potato Complex.

November 12, 2014

PEI Potato Growers award tips on Sewing Needles in potatoes with up to 50k

The Prince Edward Island potato industry is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for recent tampering incidents involving sewing needles being embedded in fresh potatoes.

November 09, 2014

Sewing Needle found inside Potato bought in Ottawa

Ottawa Police are warning residents to be careful handling food after the discovery of a needle in potatoes bought at a grocery store in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

November 03, 2014

McCain Foods workers leave PEI Borden Carleton plant for last time

It began as a trickle — people with their arms filled with personal items, leaving the McCain Foods processing plant in Borden-Carleton for the last time Wednesday — and soon it turned into a mass exodus.

Chris Hadfield digging potatoes on Prince Edward Island

October 31, 2014

Harvesting Potatoes is no Rocket Science. Or is it?

Prince Edward Island Potatoes was delighted to have Col. Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station helping to dig potatoes on Halloween morning against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and the beautiful West River.

October 26, 2014

Market for Prince Edward Island Potatoes holding strong despite needle-scare

The market for Prince Edward Island potatoes is holding strong despite the recent reports from six Atlantic Canadian locations of needles found in potato shipments from an Island grower.