Potato News from Northern America

The Ulster Farmers Union has held a meeting with potato industry stakeholders to discuss the best way forward for the industry with potato packers, merchants and producers agreeing that a promotions and marketing campaign is needed to address the continual decline in potato consumption.

After less than a year of being on the menu, Burger King is getting rid of its lower-calorie french fries, called Satisfries, at most of its restaurants.

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.

McDonald’s Corp. reported Friday its worst monthly same-store sales results in more than 10 years as it continues to be hammered by supplier woes in China and consumer malaise at home.

ConAgra Foods, Inc., announced today that Gary M. Rodkin, chief executive officer, has informed the ConAgra Foods Board of Directors of his intention to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year, May 2015

A Florida-based potato farmer who recently won an award for his sustainable irrigation methods firmly believes all farmers should adopt the system for the good of the planet.

Cavendish Farms says it is facing the very same challenges as its rival McCain Foods: currency, competition and costs.

The Prince Edward Island potato industry is reeling today from the announcement that McCain Foods will close its Borden-Carleton French fry facility as of October 31, 2014.

McCain Foods Canada is closing its Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island french fry facility as of Oct. 31, directly affecting 121 people.

After receiving more than one million flavour submissions from fans coast to coast, Lay's Canada today revealed the four finalist flavours of its 2014 Lay's Do Us a Flavour contest

After a day-long union meeting, employees of J.R. Simplot went on strike, picketing outside the potato processing plant in Grand Forks at about 6 p.m. Monday.

With more than 100 potato salads in its rich recipe database, as well as tips from the experts and how-to videos, the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) website is your top resource for this popular summer side dish.

The makers of Kettle brand chips persuaded a federal judge to dismiss claims that its 'reduced fat sea salt chips' were falsely advertised, though the judge gave the plaintiff leave to amend his complaint.

McDonald's restaurants throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region were selected as a test market for Shakin' Flavor Fries, starting August 4.

The J.R. Simplot Co. expects USDA approval for its genetically modified Innate potatoes within the next two months. Simplot Plant Sciences Director of Commercialization Kerwin Bradley outlined the strategy for marketing the potatoes at the Potato Association of America meeting in Spokane.

The hot weather that has struck Prince Edward Island this summer is making farmers nervous as harvest season draws nearer.

Revenue from its Frito-Lay division increased 2 percent in North America, according to an earnings report released Wednesday, while beverage sales in the region remained flat.

Concerns over the quality of the waste water from a potato wash facility has resulted in the P.E.I. Department of Environment shutting down the operation.