2003 Managing Excellence in Agriculture Conference
McCain
French Fry Plant, Portage la Prairie
There
are many reasons why McCain Foods has become the
world's largest producer of french fries and they
all become apparent when you visit the company's
plant in Portage la Prairie.
Each year, 360 million pounds of potatoe products
are produced here, most for major restaurant chains
like McDonald's and Wendy's. Potatoes are trucked
to the plant and sent in on conveyor belts where
they begin a 90 minute trek to become quality french
fries. But what about potatoes that don't meet McCain's
strict specifications for quality? Machines and
humans work together to spot any bruised, green
potatoes. Nothing goes to waste. Potatoes and potatoe
sections not acceptable for french fries are sent
to a section of the plant line where potatoe flakes
are used for crackers, fish cakes, cattle feed and
other byproducts.
The plant, which operates 24 hours a day, relies
on 75 local producers for supply.
McCain Foods does not use genetically modified products
saying its customers, especially those in Japan
and Europe, have no interest.
Web Site:
www.mccain.com
Funded in part by the
