French fry research site envisioned

FLORENCEVILLE, New Brunswick – McCain Foods Ltd., which is building a second french fry plant in Easton, Maine, is planning the construction of a potato research facility in Florenceville.

The $7.2 million facility will include a pilot processing line where technology will be developed that will be shared with McCain’s 50 processing plants throughout the world.

“The new potato processing technology center will ensurethat McCain Foods maintains and expands its worldwide leadership in french fry technology,” Allison McCain, deputy chairman of the company, said in a prepared statement. “We are looking forward to the exploration of exciting innovations in potato processing.”

Construction on the project is expected to begin this month, according to McCain.

The company’s two Easton plants are expected to benefit from the research conducted at the Florenceville facility.

“It would help in the plants here,” Michael Corey, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, said. “I think McCain is very committed to this region.”

The pilot processing line has been designed to emulate the best practices of McCain Foods in processing technology and to provide room for flexibility to test processing parameters, according to company officials.

“We’re constantly trying to improve the way we make french fries,” said Lucie Carswell, a McCain spokesman.

The New Brunswick-based company is the world’s largest processor of french fries, with more than 50 plants in 13 countries.