Potato News from New Zealand

McCain Foods will close its Timaru vegetable plant, affecting 30 jobs. The company announced this morning it will close its small vegetable plant in early November, which is adjacent to the larger French fry facility. McCain Foods employs 240 staff a...

Scientists from Crop and Food Lincoln are cooperating with research organisations in Christchurch’s Friendship city of Wuhan, China, to develop potatoes with superior qualities including resistance to cold-induced sweetening. Professor Tony Conner, a...

The NZX looks set to have another bite taken out of it as potato products maker Mr Chips faces the prospect of a takeover. Food manufacturer Simplot Australia intends to delist Mr Chips if its takeover offer is successful. Majority shareholder Sincla...

Mr Chips, a New Zealand maker of french fries and processed vegetables, advised shareholders not to sell their shares because Simplot Australia Pty plans to make an offer for the company. The offer will be at a substantial premium to the last sale pri...

Thrilled by the potential the free trade agreement with China brings, potato chip-maker Steven Wong of Fresher Foods is spending $2.8 million on new machinery to double his factory's production. "The free trade agreement opens up an almost unlim...

New research has found some potatoes make healthier fries than others because they absorb less fat. Takeaway shops are now being encouraged to follow new healthy cooking guidelines, but it doesn't stop there. Using a different potato could reduce f...

The Chip Group has achieved a world first with the launch of a set of industry standards aimed at helping independent chip shop operators to make takeaway chips (French fries) healthier. Details of ‘The New Zealand Standards for Deep Fried Chips in In...

The International Year of the Potato has got off to a bad start for local potato growers, with yields well down due to a cold spring and dry summer. Potato Product Group chairman Terry Olsen said crops already harvested this year have had far lighter ...

Allan Parker, President of World Potato Congress Inc., announced today that Christchurch has been selected as the site of the 7th International World Potato Congress to be held in March 2009. It’s the first time the Congress will be held in the South...

The term "food miles"- how far food has traveled before you buy it - has entered the enlightened lexicon. Environmental groups, especially in Europe, are pushing for labels that show how far food has traveled to get to the market. But is red...

The Ministry of Health is funding a three year study on french fries, as part of an initiative to make the popular takeaway food healthier. Horticulture New Zealand chip group food and education spokeswoman Glenda Gourley said the funding was initially...