Simplot, McDonald's Japan Recognize Top Five Washington Potato Growers

The JR Simplot Co. and McDonald's Japan have joined in recognizing the top five growers who supply high-quality raw product for the production of McDonald's french fries and hash browns for the Japanese market.

"The selection of these five growers for this special recognition was based on raw potato grades delivered into the facilities during McDonald's production runs by using the JR Simplot Grower Matrix,"said Bret Nedrow, Simplot Regional Raw Procurement Manager, Moses Lake (Wash.). "The growers were selected based on their high-quality raw product delivered and used to produce the consistently superior fries and hashbrowns that McDonald's is known for in their restaurants worldwide."

The growers recognized were Ed Schneider, Schneider Farms;Jack Gross, Marlin Hutterian Brethren;Keys Weyns, Weyns Farms;Berend Friehe, Friehe Farms (Heath Gimmestad accepted for Friehe Farms);and John McCloud, Glen Lewis Farms.