Potato News from Northern America

Duravant LLC (“Duravant”), a global engineered equipment and automation solutions provider to the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Key Technology, Inc. (“Key Technology”) (NASDAQ:KTEC).

Canada's largest full‐service restaurant company Cara is to merge with Keg Restaurants Ltd. The addition of 106 The Keg restaurants will provide Cara with a network of 1,365 restaurants.

The Government of Canada supports the investment in a Sherlock Separator potato sorter by RWL Holdings LTD (PEI Potato Solutions), a potato washing and sorting facility to optimize potatoes for processing prior to delivery to Cavendish Farms.

McCain Foods Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. José Boisjoli to its Board of Directors, by its parent company, McCain Foods Group Inc.

McDonald’s announces goals to improve its packaging and help significantly reduce waste to positively impact the communities the company serves around the world.

When some Colombian potato varieties are lightly grazed by a pest, the plants respond by growing larger tubers, at times doubling their yields. Researchers see an opportunity and want to know more...

Chemicals in the leaves of potato plants, produced naturally by the plant, may hold the key to a new way to control Colorado potato beetles - a major pest for potato growers.

Uglies are ketttle cooked potato chips crafted by Dieffenbach from potatoes rejected for minor imperfections. This has saved more than 350,000 lbs of potatoes from going to waste since the launch a year ago.

This week more than 2,000 growers, suppliers, and experts will converge at the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry held in North America, Potato Expo 2018.

Tasteful Selections™, a specialty potato brand from RPE Inc., proudly announces the launch of its yearlong Always Fresh campaign, with insights and inspiration revolving around healthy, nutritious recipes and kitchen tips for more confident meal preparation.

SNAXPO18, a leading trade show dedicated to the international snack industry, will take place March 12–14, 2018 in Atlanta, GA in a new updated format.

The Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) has renamed itself Food Northwest, to better reflect the composition of its membership.

Equipment manufacturer Vanmark now offers with the 1820 series a lower capacity continuous Peeler/Scrubber/Washer suitable for potatoes. The new machinery is ideal for processors that increase automation or are upgrading from batch processing

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) announced its second quarter 2018 results and updated outlook for fiscal 2018 last Thursday.

David Thompson steps down as President and CEO of the World Potato Congress Inc. and announces Romain Cools as new President and CEO.

The new Trader Joe’s Spud Crunchies are essentially salty, crunchy, shelf-stable French fries made from just three ingredients US-grown Russet potatoes, expeller pressed canola oil, and salt.

Taco Bell's most-anticipated menu item release of the year will be available crisped to perfection with bold Mexican seasoning and served with a dippable side of warm Nacho Cheese, beginning January 25 (United States).

Re-zoning requests related to the construction of a new Potato Processing Plant by J.R. Simplot in the west side of Walla Walla county (Washington, United States) have been approved, enabling Simplot to move forward.