McCain spending $80 million to expand potato plant

McCain Foods Canada is investing $80 million to expand production at its plant in Grand Falls, N.B.

Plans include a new "formed potato specialty" production line that McCain said would create 80 full-time jobs.

The line will be operational by 2021 and will feature "advanced technology for process efficiency as well as state-of-the-art food safety, processing and packaging equipment," according to a press release.

Dale McCarthy, McCain's vice-president of integrated supply chain, said an additional 1,200 hectares of harvested potatoes by New Brunswick potato growers would be needed to supply the production line.

The investment, said McCarthy, reflected McCain's commitment to the potato business in New Brunswick and to the people that live and work in the Grand Falls community."