LETHBRIDGE – Officials at McCain Foods say production at the company’s Coaldale, Alta., french fry and specialty potato processing plant will continue according to schedule despite some weather related challenges.
Plant manager Jim Rideout said the facility faced some production challenges related to hail damaged potatoes and spoilage that occurred during farm storage.
Rideout said there were some “rough” potatoes but all have been sorted.
“We think it will be smooth sailing to the next (year’s) crop.”
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Rideout said the company will shut down its main french fry processing line for maintenance during the Christmas season, but its specialty potato processing line will continue to operate.
McCain is not facing the same problems as some of its competitors, he said.
Competitors worse off
Lamb Weston, a division of ConAgra, is planning a pair of two-week periodic shutdowns – one in November and one near Christmas, at its Taber, Alta., plant. It has also had several shorter shutdowns earlier this year. Officials from Lamb Weston cited a lack of potatoes as the reason for the shutdowns.
Rideout said a Prince Edward Island firm, Cavendish Farms, has also announced shutdowns.
“It seems to be steady here,” he added.
The planned shutdown for McCain’s will begin around Christmas.
Rideout said that is good for timing for employees who tend to like more time off during the holidays.
