News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Idaho

March 22, 2015

Simplot Innate Potatoes pass voluntary FDA safety review

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.

December 23, 2014

West Coast Labor Dispute is Hurting Idaho Potato Industry

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.

Bulk potato storage United States (Courtesy IVI)

December 15, 2014

Major US Potato States held 263 million cwt in stock per December 1, 2014

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

November 18, 2014

Will Simplot's Innate GMO Potato Take Off? McDonald's Has Spoken

If the Innate GMO potato is going to take off, depends on Simplot winning over three major factions, Farmers, big buyers such as McDonald's and the Consumer

November 09, 2014

USDA approves Simplot's Innate GM potatoes

A potato genetically engineered to reduce the amounts of a potentially harmful ingredient in French fries and potato chips has been approved for commercial planting, the Department of Agriculture announced on Friday.

October 26, 2014

Simplot postpones closure Nampa potato processing plant again

The Simplot potato processing plant in Nampa will again stay open longer than anticipated.

The J.R. Simplot Co. is decommissioning its potato-processing plant in Aberdeen in Bingham County.

September 11, 2014

Simplot decommissions Aberdeen plant

The J.R. Simplot Co. is decommissioning its potato-processing plant in Aberdeen in Bingham County. Simplot says all processing work there ended over the Labor Day weekend.

August 11, 2014

Simplot Aberdeen closure delayed once again

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.

Simplot Aberdeen, ID potato processing plant

May 14, 2014

Simplot delays closure of its Aberdeen and Nampa potato plants

J.R. Simplot Co.'s Idaho potato processing plants in Aberdeen and Nampa, which were scheduled to be closed this spring, will remain open throughout August due to increased demand.

May 08, 2014

Idaho Potato Growers concerned about delays at McCain Foods Burley

A delay in a $100 million expansion project for McCain Foods USA in Burley, Idaho has area potato growers worried about the status of their contracts to sell produce to the company.

April 24, 2014

McDonald's recognizes Simplot for Community Service

Simplot's Safety Days initiative was recently recognized by McDonald’s Corporation as demonstrating best practices in the “Community Impact” section of the company’s Sustainable Supply awards.

March 06, 2014

Idaho potato growers approved contract with McCain Foods

Idaho potato farmers who sell to McCain Foods have agreed to a contract that maintains roughly the same pricing as last season, said Dan Hargraves, who negotiated on their behalf as executive director of Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative.

November 30, 2013

Idaho Workers Brace for Simplot Closures

A number of southwestern Idaho communities are bracing for the planned closure of three Simplot plants.

August 11, 2013

Idaho potato growers excited about $100 million McCain expansion

McCain Foods' Aug. 7 announcement that it will invest more than $100 million to expand its Burley potato processing plant was exciting news to Idaho potato farmers.

August 08, 2013

McCain Foods USA to expand Burley, Idaho plant with third french fry line.

McCain Foods USA has announced plans to expand its Burley, Idaho manufacturing plant with the addition of a third production line.

March 05, 2013

Idaho Potato growers approve contracts with Simplot, McCain

Idaho potato growers at a Monday meeting in Burley approved processing contracts with J.R. Simplot and McCain Foods that both include payment increases averaging 1.6 percent.

September 27, 2012

McCain Foods USA renovates Burley Idaho French Fry Plant

McCain Foods USA has announced it will begin a major capital improvement and renovation project for its Burley 2 potato plant in Idaho. The project is slated to begin this fall and will be completed over the next 2 years. The renovation of Burley 2 w...

September 11, 2012

JR Simplot Company plans to build new headquarters in Boise, Idaho

The J. R. Simplot Company is planning to begin construction in late 2013 or early 2014 of a new headquarters building in Boise, Idaho. Company officials anticipate the building will be about 10 stories high and measure roughly 300,000 sq. ft. Final si...