PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. – McCain Foods (Canada) unveiled a new program last week designed to help potato growers improve their storage and refrigeration equipment. The program, announced Aug. 25, will provide three-year interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for Manitoba growers supplying potatoes to the McCain plant at Portage la Prairie. The loans are for investment in potato storage buildings and refrigeration-ventilation equipment.
McCain Foods had earlier announced a similar program for its plants in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Arnold Park, president and chief executive officer of McCain Foods, said good storage is vital to growers if they are to deliver quality potatoes.
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“It makes good business sense for us and for our growers to have this program in place.”
The new storage program took effect immediately, replacing the previous storage grant program. Under the old program, McCain Foods provided a $5,000 grant toward new construction or renovations of storage facilities.
To be eligible for the program, growers must receive approval from McCain Foods to ensure proposed systems meet specifications.
Growers can repay the loan in cash or potatoes.
The Portage la Prairie plant has been in operation since 1979. An $82 million expansion was completed two years ago.
The plant processes french fries, battered french fries, diced hash browns and other potato products.
Most production at the plant is for export.
