Aerial image of the McCain Foods Florenceville-Bristol potato processing facilities after the latest addition (indicated in yellow).

FLORENCEVILLE-BRISTOL, NB — McCain Foods Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, has opened its new $65 million potato specialty production line at its flagship facility in Florenceville-Bristol, N.B.

The new 35,000-square-foot production line is the company’s largest capacity expansion investment in Canada in nearly 10 years, McCain Foods said.

“Florenceville continues to be the french fry capital of the world,” said Jeff DeLapp, president of North America for McCain Foods. “The official opening of the new production line reflects McCain's ongoing commitment to invest in the needs of our consumers and customers today and also the company’s focus toward future product development and innovation.”

From left to right: Hon. Andrew Harvey, New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Mines and Rural Affairs, Andrea Davis, Director Government and Public Relations at McCain Foods Canada; Shai Altman, President of McCain Foods Canada; Jeff Delapp, President, North America, McCain Foods Limited; Marc Kilfoil, Plant Manager McCain Foods Canada; Allison McCain, Chairman, McCain Foods Limited; Dale McCarthy, Vice President Integrated Supply Chain, McCain Foods Limited; Germain Pinette, Manufacturing Director, McCain Foods Canada; ; TJ Harvey, M.P. for Tobique-Mactaquac; Nancy Whyte-McCauley, Deputy Mayor, Florenceville-Bristol.

The expansion added more than 40 new jobs and created an additional demand of 4,000 acres of potatoes, which will be supplied by local New Brunswick potato farmers, the company said.

“McCain is proud to partner with over 150 farming families across the country,” said Shai Altman, president of McCain Foods Canada. “Our delicious products are a direct result of the quality potatoes grown by farmers, many of whom share a multi-generational partnership with McCain, some dating back to our start 60 years ago.”