The Alberta Potato Conference applauds producers, talks potatoes
By Kate Ayers
Staff Reporter
Farms.com
The Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) had its AGM in Red Deer last night, with Ag Minister Oneil Carlier and growers from across the province gathering to assess the industry.
The evening was part of the 51st Alberta Potato Conference and Trade Show held Nov. 14 to 16.
Carlier discussed the positive state of the potato industry and spoke of the future Cavendish plant in the province.
In December 2016, Cavendish Farms announced plans to expand and build a new potato processing plant in Lethbridge. Previous Farms.com coverage here.
The new Cavendish plant is expecting to open its doors for business in the summer of 2019, according to a Lacombe Online article yesterday.
The new plant will have a significant impact on the entire province, Carlier explained in the article.
“It’s a $350 (million) investment in a plant that’s going to produce frozen french fries and other frozen potato appetizers. A lot of people are going to be employed when it’s up in operation,” Carlier said.
“It shows that Alberta is a great place to set up business and a great place to grow potatoes.”
To adequately supply the Cavendish plant with product, 10,000 acres of potatoes will need to be cultivated province-wide.
And the potato industry makes a substantial contribution to Alberta’s economy.
“It’s thriving and it’s expanding. We’re about a $200 million farm gate industry in the province,” Terence Hochstein, executive director of the Potato Growers of Alberta, said in the article.
“We generate about $1 billion annually within our industry.”
The reception also involved the releases of Potato on Every Plate and A Window to the Past, a cookbook and history book. These publications celebrate PGA’s 50 years in the industry.
Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/p-411975/?no_redirect