News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Northern America

Opening Cavendish Culinary Creation Center

October 16, 2009

Cavendish Farms invests in product innovation

Cavendish Farms is pleased to announce the official opening of Cavendish Culinary Creation Centre and Canada's Smartest Kitchen, the research arm of Holland College's Culinary Institute of Canada."This new facility is a great example of a win-win ...

September 24, 2009

ConAgra sales fall short, profit tops forecasts

ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG.N) posted weaker quarterly sales though its profit beat expectations, raising concerns about the strength of its brands as consumers turn more to private-label products.Shares of the maker of Banquet frozen dinners and Hebrew Nat...

September 23, 2009

Bannock Russet new potato variety for McDonald's french fries?

From the fields of Idaho to tasting rooms in suburban Chicago, potato farmers, researchers and industry representatives are in the midst of an elusive hunt: finding a new spud for McDonald's french fries.

September 18, 2009

Acrylamide: Why french fries shouldn't be overheated

A natural byproduct of cooking high-carbohydrate foods at high temperatures, acrylamide turns up in a wide variety of roasted and baked foods, including potato chips, french fries, breakfast cereal, baby food, bread and crackers.Research has shown tha...

Fire at the Cavendish Farms French fry factory in Jamestown

September 05, 2009

Cavendish Jamestown French Fry plant to reopen within four weeks

Officials at Cavendish Farms expect the James-town potato-processing plant damaged by fire on August 31, 2009 to be operational within the next four weeks, said Mary Keith, vice president of communications with Cavendish Farms, by e-mail Thursday eveni...

September 02, 2009

Cavendish Farms Jamestown factory closed indefinitely

The Cavendish Farms Jamestown factory is closed indefinitely after a fire burned in its attic Monday, officials said.Greg Allen, the plant’s administrative manager, said only part of the plant was damaged and he wants to get it running again soon.Allen...

September 02, 2009

Toner Farms Ltd. named the 2009 McCain Champion Potato Grower for Grand Falls

Toner Farms Ltd. of Grand Falls was named the 2009 McCain Champion Potato Grower for Grand Falls.

September 01, 2009

King Krinkz, King Kolossalz, King Wedgez: the new Microwaveable French Fries from Conagra Foods Lamb Weston

Burger King Corp. has entered into a licensing arrangement with ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston whereby Lamb Weston will introduce a retail line of crispy and flavorful microwaveable Burger King branded french fries that will hit shelves of select retailers.

August 31, 2009

Today's kids' menus are so.... last year.

Mintel Menu Insights, which tracks restaurant menu trends, says the average kids’ menu doesn’t offer enough variety or healthy food, even as parents, kids and chefs alike call out for better options.Analyzing kids’ menus from 2005 to the present, Minte...

August 31, 2009

Fire damages Cavendish Farms Jamestown French Fry plant

Parts of the Cavendish Farms French Fry plant in Jamestown were damaged by a fire Monday afternoon, but no one was injured.The source of the blaze is unknown, said Jamestown Fire Chief Jim Reuther. The fire likely started in the attic, he said.Black sm...

August 29, 2009

McCain Foods announced Champion Potato Grower for Florenceville

Howard Culberson & Sons of Jacksonville was named the 2009 McCain Champion Potato Grower for Florenceville during the annual McCain Growers' Banquet held at the Northern Carleton Civic Centre.Potatoes are rated throughout the year on a variety of fa...

August 28, 2009

Louisiana Budget Committee awards $37 million for Conagra Foods Lamb Weston sweet potato plant

A Louisiana state budget panel this morning awarded more than $37 million to agriculture giant ConAgra to build a sweet potato processing and freezing plant near Delhi in Northeast Louisiana.The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved the gr...

August 27, 2009

Another Sweet Potato Processing Plant in Louisiana?

The head of Louisiana food processor Bruce Foods Corp. said Wednesday that he will meet next week with state economic development officials in an attempt to get his company's stalled sweet potato processing project back on track.Bruce Foods Chief Execu...

August 19, 2009

Key Technology Expands Online Training Program to Include Tegra® Sorters

Key Technology introduces its new Online Training Program for Tegra® with G6 sorters. This interactive, multimedia curriculum expands the knowledgeability of employees to better operate, maintain, and clean Tegra sorting systems. By providing effectiv...

August 18, 2009

Lamb Weston Sweet Potato plant will impact the region

The announcement of plans for a sweet potato processing in nearby Richland Parish earlier this month, set the wheels of opportunity turning for Franklin Parish interest.Franklin Parish is home to the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station, which h...

August 05, 2009

Lamb Weston plans Sweet Potato Processing Plant in Louisiana

ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston announced today plans to build a new, state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly processing plant near Delhi, Louisiana, designed primarily to process high-quality sweet potatoes from the region into fries and related product...

August 05, 2009

New Smart Choices Symbol on nearly 200 ConAgra Foods Products

As part of its ongoing commitment to help Americans lead healthier lives, ConAgra Foods will feature the Smart Choice Program™ logo on many of its products. The Smart Choices Program symbol, which is displayed on the front of qualifying food packages, ...

July 28, 2009

Cavendish Farms buys appetizer division Omstead Foods

Omstead Foods Limited announced today that Cavendish Farms, one of North America's leading processors of frozen potato products, has purchased the Appetizer division of Omstead Foods.In a transaction that closed today, Cavendish Farms, a member of the ...