Simplot and McDonald's Japan recognize Basin potato growers
Farm and Ranch January 8, 2010 The JR Simplot Company and McDonald’s Japan have joined in recognizing the top five Columbia Basin growers who supply high quality raw product for the production of McDonald’s french fries and hash browns for their Japanese market. Karen Bonaudi, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission says this was a first. Bonaudi: “We were pleased that these companies recognized our growers. This was the first time they have presented this award. Simplot and McDonald‘s both are very, very important to the Washington potato industry. So to have them come together to recognize our growers was especially powerful.” Awards were presented at a recent dinner in the honor of the five growers who were recognized who are Ed Schneider, Schneider Farms; Jack Gross, Marlin Hutterian Brethren; Keys Weyns, Weyns Farms; Berend Friehe, Friehe Farms; and John McCloud, Glen Lewis Farms. Simplot plants located in Moses Lake and Othello, Washington supply french fries and hash brown patties to McDonald’s in Japan with potatoes grown in the Columbia Basin. The Moses Lake Simplot plant produces the McDonald’s fries, while Simplot in Othello produces breakfast hash brown patties. Outside of the U.S., Japan is the largest McDonald's market in the world with nearly 4,000 restaurants. That’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow. I’m Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
