Potato News from Northern America

Workers at the J.R. Simplot Co. potato processing plant in Grand Forks have reached a contract agreement with the company after being on strike for almost three weeks.

McCain Foods said Wednesday it has signed a deal to sell its North American frozen pizza business to Dr. Oetker GmbH.

Yesterday Burger chain Burger King and Canadian Coffee and Donut Chain Tim Hortons confirmed they are in talks to join forces.

Prince Edward Island potato growers are proud of the trail blazers and industry builders who have established PEI as a world leader in potato production and expertise.

Fresh Solutions Network has been named as a finalist for the 2014 PMA Impact Awards in Excellence in Packaging for their innovation and excellence in the Side Delights Gourmet Petite potato product line.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is pleased to announce Amy Burdett has joined its staff as Marketing Operations Director in the Denver office.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed a case of potato wart in a Prince Edward Island field.

The Ulster Farmers Union has held a meeting with potato industry stakeholders to discuss the best way forward for the industry with potato packers, merchants and producers agreeing that a promotions and marketing campaign is needed to address the continual decline in potato consumption.

After less than a year of being on the menu, Burger King is getting rid of its lower-calorie french fries, called Satisfries, at most of its restaurants.

The J.R. Simplot plant in Aberdeen is still up and running, after it was scheduled to officially close its doors on July 31, but a delay in the start-up of the production in the new Caldwell plant has it rescheduled to close Sept. 2.

McDonald’s Corp. reported Friday its worst monthly same-store sales results in more than 10 years as it continues to be hammered by supplier woes in China and consumer malaise at home.

ConAgra Foods, Inc., announced today that Gary M. Rodkin, chief executive officer, has informed the ConAgra Foods Board of Directors of his intention to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year, May 2015

A Florida-based potato farmer who recently won an award for his sustainable irrigation methods firmly believes all farmers should adopt the system for the good of the planet.

Cavendish Farms says it is facing the very same challenges as its rival McCain Foods: currency, competition and costs.

The Prince Edward Island potato industry is reeling today from the announcement that McCain Foods will close its Borden-Carleton French fry facility as of October 31, 2014.

McCain Foods Canada is closing its Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island french fry facility as of Oct. 31, directly affecting 121 people.

After receiving more than one million flavour submissions from fans coast to coast, Lay's Canada today revealed the four finalist flavours of its 2014 Lay's Do Us a Flavour contest

After a day-long union meeting, employees of J.R. Simplot went on strike, picketing outside the potato processing plant in Grand Forks at about 6 p.m. Monday.