Potato News from Northern America

The National Potato Council (NPC) has added Kam Quarles as Senior Director of Public Policy.

It’s been more than a year since a new potato variety known as the Caribou Russet was unveiled. But so far, it’s been rather hard to find — getting a new potato onto store shelves isn’t as simple as it may seem.

The plans for a new multi-million dollar Cavendish Farms potato processing plant in Lethbridge, Alberta, should not concern the Prince Edward Island potato industry, says the general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada.

Lindsey Dodgen is Potatoes USA’s newest team member, joining the team as the Assistant Marketing Manager supporting the Retail, Market Access, Seed, Reputation Management, and Industry Outreach Programs.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced that at a special meeting of shareowners held on December 13, shareowners of the company approved the merger of Monsanto with a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft.

Cavendish Farms is pleased to announce the expansion of its business in Lethbridge, Alberta, with the construction of a new frozen potato processing plant, replacing the existing plant.

Agribusiness giant J. R. Simplot is seeking receivership over two of its vegetable suppliers, claiming mismanagement of the $400-million-grossing companies threatens 2,000 jobs and could end in bankruptcy without court intervention.

Pepsico is a company pulled in two different directions. Chief executive Indra Nooyi has vowed to turn the maker of Fritos, Cheetos, Lay’s and Pepsi into a health juggernaut. But while consumers say they want to eat healthy, often what they really want is chips.

Dewulf - Miedema has appointed Banga’s Equipment from Taber, Alberta, as new fullservice dealer to ensure optimum service and support for its customers in Alberta and Western Canada.

Italian snack manufacturer Preziosi Food (Mitica) integrated new frying, seasoning and packaging systems from leading processing and packaging solutions provider, tna, to launch a new line of batch-fried potato chips.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 4th, 2016 to celebrate the development of a new manufacturing site for Spray Dynamics, a Heat and Control subsidiary.

The Plant Management Network (PMN) has released a new presentation entitled 'Epidemiology and Management of Potato White Mold' to help growers, consultants and extension agents understand how white mold persists and spreads

Last week Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.announced that the Company had signed a definitive agreement to sell its Diamond of California® culinary nut business to Blue Road Capital.

Key Technology introduces their new book, 'The Definitive Guide to Digital Sorting for Food Processors'. This 76-page technical report offers an in-depth look at every relevant aspect of digital sorting systems.

Swansfleet Alliance of Treherne and Bruxelles was named the Top Potato Grower for the McCain Foods Manitoba plants during the annual Growers’ Banquet held in November in Carberry MB, Canada

Seven of Lamb Weston's thirteen processing facilities in the United States achieved ENERGY STAR® certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EarthFresh Farms recently announced the acquisition of the assets of Grand Bend Produce, a Southwestern Ontario based fresh potato business.

After further investigation of the food tampering report of this weekend, Halifax Police concluded it can not be determined where the needle originated. This additional reporting caused a sigh of relieve among Canadian Potato Packers.