Potato News from Prince Edward Island

August 07, 2014

PEI Potato Industry Shocked by McCain Plant closure

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.

The McCain Foods Borden Carleton facility

August 07, 2014

McCain Foods to close Prince Edward Island French Fry Plant

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

Dry weather could cut crop PEI crop yields by 15%

July 31, 2014

Dry weather could cut PEI crop yields by 15%

The hot weather that has struck Prince Edward Island this summer is making farmers nervous as harvest season draws nearer.

From left to right: Austin Roberts, co-owner of RWL Holdings Ltd, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea and Agriculture and Forestry Minister George Webster (Courtesy Journal Pioneer).

July 30, 2014

PEI Dept of Environment shuts down potato wash plant RWL Holdings Ltd.

Concerns over the quality of the waste water from a potato wash facility has resulted in the P.E.I. Department of Environment shutting down the operation.

July 28, 2014

Dr. Peter VanderZaag appointed to International Advisory Committee of World Potato Congress Inc.

David Thompson, President and CEO of World Potato Congress Inc. announced today the appointment of Dr. Peter VanderZaag, President: SunRISE Potato Ltd, Alliston, Ontario, Canada, to the organization’s International Advisory Committee

July 22, 2014

World Potato Congress appoints three new directors

David Thompson, President & CEO, World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC Inc.) has announced the appointment of Mr. Ron Gall, New Zealand; Dr. Nora Olsen, USA; and Anne Fowlie, Canada; as members of the Board of Directors.

June 30, 2014

Profile of a Prince Edward Island Potato Farmer

You might know that Prince Edward Island potatoes are world famous and you might even know why – the iron-rich red soil exclusive to the Island. But I think that there is another reason why our potatoes are the best- the passion of our farmers.

Water Use Prince Edward Island (courtesy PEI Potato Board)

June 15, 2014

PEI Potato Industry says high-capacity irrigation wells needed

Two of the most powerful voices in P.E.I.s billion dollar potato industry appeared before the Legislature's agriculture committee Thursday in Charlottetown.

May 15, 2014

Prince Edward Island Potato Board joins 'Agriculture More Than Ever' program

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board signs on as a partner in Farm Credit Canada’s successful Agriculture More Than Ever program.

May 09, 2014

Prince Edward Island Potato growers and McCain Foods reach new contract

Prince Edward Island process potato farmers who grow for McCain Foods have a new contract. The deal was reached in last-minute negotiations before it actually had to go to arbitration.

April 04, 2014

PEI Potatoes sponsors 'FryDays' during PEI Burger Love 2014!

Everyone knows that burgers and fries are best friends, making it an easy decision for the Prince Edward Island Potato Board to be a partner in the 2014 edition of PEI Burger Love (www.peiburgerlove.ca).

February 09, 2014

No simple solution to deal with wireworm

Bob Vernon, an Agriculture Canada scientist, spoke to about 300 farmers on Prince Edward Island on wireworm, a pest he's been researching for 20 years.

John Griffin, left, and Peter Griffin, right, show new potato weighing and bagging equipment at WP Griffin Inc. to Fisheries and Oceans Canada minister Gail Shea and P.E.I. Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson.

January 21, 2014

Potato Packer W.P Griffin receives government support for new packaging equipment

Prince Edward Island Potato Packer W.P. Griffin will get a combined investment of $372,490 from the provincial and federal governments to purchase new weighing and bagging equipment.

January 20, 2014

Potato Technology Expo Charlottetown releases Conference Program

The International Potato Technology Expo (IPTE) returns to the Eastlink Centre (formerly known as the Charlottetown Civic Centre) on February 21-22, 2014.

November 13, 2013

Demand is High for the Taste of Prince Edward Island Potatoes

The potato harvest in Prince Edward Island is complete and world-famous Prince Edward Island Potatoes are appearing on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus across Canada and the northeastern United States.

November 05, 2013

Sobeys launches Colour-coded potatoes

Sobeys in Atlantic Canada has introduced a new colour-coded scheme in an attempt to market some Prince Edward Island potatoes.

Prince Edward Island Potato Farm: Nathan Ching of Black Pond Farms Ltd

June 23, 2013

Potato farming on Prince Edward Island is a family business

Potato farming in Prince Edward Island continues to be primarily the domain of family owned and operated farms. 99% of potato farms in PEI are owned by farm families, with some of these families involved in growing potatoes for over 100 years!

April 22, 2013

Beyond the traditional potato recipes: how about Potato Chocolate Cake?

With summer entertaining just around the corner, Olympic Gold Medalist Heather Moyse is urging Canadians to look beyond the traditional potato salad, and get more creative when cooking their spuds - think potato chocolate cake!