News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Australia

McCain Foods agriculture director John Jackson in Australia has admitted the company’s relationship with the region’s potato growers has been damaged in recent years.

Simplot processing potato farmers in Tasmania have accepted a $10 per tonne price cut for crops deliverable in 2014.

South Australian Potato producers have called for fair freight arrangements following the closure of McCain Foods' Penola plant.

Today’s reports that Simplot’s two vegetable processing plants at Bathurst and Devonport will remain open for at least another three years has been welcomed by peak industry body, AUSVEG.

Farmer Terry Buckley says he is sad to see the local Penola plant close, but he hopes the Ballarat plant might save the Australian potato processing industry, which is being outpriced by cheaper imports.

McCain Foods has announced it will close its potato processing factory in Penola, South Australia.

Third generation farmer Andrew Combes is the only commercial potato grower south of Hobart (Tasmania, Australia). What's more, the 36-year-old is the new Rabobank Simplot Young Potato Grower of the year.

Food processor Simplot Australia has rejected the Star system for labelling healthy and unhealthy food.

Several Tasmanian potato growers whose contracts were cancelled by McCain last year have rejected new contract offers from the company.

McCain Foods is bringing its new branding to Australia. The new branding, developed by brand agency BrandOpus, was first introduced in the United Kingdom and marked the first complete overhaul of the McCain logo in more than 50 years.

Simplot brand Birds Eye has channeled sports commentating in its latest television campaign for its Hot Chips range.

Australian frozen food company Birds Eye has launched two new potato chip ranges.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Board has elected a new chair. Terry O’Brien, Managing Director of Simplot Australia, has been elected by the Board following the resignation of John Doumani.

McCain Foods today announced it has completed the acquisition of Kitchens of Sara Lee (KOSL) Australia from Hillshire Brands, boosting its consumer offering. The transaction, initiated on December 18, is valued at A$82M.

McCain Foods (Aust) Pty. Ltd. today announced that it has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of the Kitchens of Sara Lee (KOSL) frozen bakery business based in Australia and New Zealand from Hillshire Brands.

Australians' appetite for imported potato chips (french fries) has soared 700 per cent in just two years.

A cartoon portraying Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior ministers as children playing a video game has been launched by the potato industry as part of its war to block imports of New Zealand potatoes.

Simplot Australia managing director Terry O'Brien has nominated a floor price Tasmanian potato farmers may have to accept to continue growing for the food processor. Speaking after the company announced the results of price negotiations with potato gr...