McCain Foods NB potato plant expansion to create 80 jobs

McCain Foods to invest $80 million in production expansion at its Grand Falls, NB facility. Photo: McCain Foods

GRAND FALLS, NB — McCain Foods Canada says it will spend $80 million to expand production at its potato plant in Grand Falls, NB.

The company says the money will be used to create a new formed potato specialty production line that when complete will create 80 full-time jobs.

Dale McCarthy, a McCain vice-president, says the expansion is needed to meet growing customer demand.

He says the new production line is to be operational by early 2021 and will feature advanced technology for process efficiency, food safety, and packaging.

McCarthy says the expanded plant will also need an additional 1,200 hectares of harvested potatoes from New Brunswick growers.

The company notes that New Brunswick is a key potato-growing region, representing an estimated 15% of total Canadian production.

“Today’s investment announcement at our Grand Falls facility reflects McCain’s commitment to the potato business in New Brunswick and to the people that live and work in the Grand Falls community,” McCarthy said Wednesday in a release.

“Both the Grand Falls facility and the recent Florenceville expansion will provide McCain Foods with two of the largest formed specialty lines in the industry.”