Facility will be located in the Sherring Industrial Park
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Cavendish Farms announced it is building a new, $350 million potato processing plant in Lethbridge, Alberta.
The facility will be located in the Sherring Industrial Park. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2017, and upon completion in 2019, will replace its current facility in Lethbridge.
The plant will also allow Cavendish to double its annual production capacity and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
“The opportunity to expand in Lethbridge, and remain within the region is very important to us,” Robert Irving, president of Cavendish Farms said in a release. “Lethbridge has provided Cavendish Farms with a cross-Canada presence that has helped fuel our growth and allowed us to reach key markets. This expansion is possible because of the commitment of Cavendish Farms employees, customers, growers, and suppliers. It is their efforts that have allowed us to grow and expand.”
Cavendish’s commitment to the city of Lethbridge marks the largest investment in the city’s history.
“This is the largest investment in our city’s history, and we are tremendously excited to be part of this growth,” Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman said in the release. “The positive economic impact of today’s announcement and the investment Cavendish Farms is making in our community are something we are very proud of.”
In the release, Alberta Minister of Agriculture Oneil Carlier said the investment will create jobs and help Lethbridge remain Canada’s hub of agri-food business innovation.