Now with more regenerative Barb.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image courtesy of McCain
Hey! Today, July 13, 2023, is National French Fry Day, and regardless of how you like’em, we should all go and get our fingers on some to celebrate.
And, McCain, the world’s largest french fry producer, would like you to do so sustainably.
Every year, the earth loses 12 million hectares of farmable land due to erosion—about one soccer field every few seconds. Erosion ruins farmable soil, and a lack of farmable soil means that the future of potatoes—and fries—is at stake.
However, as McCain wants everyone to know, regenerative agriculture has the power to help bring this healthy soil back.
To bring home the point, today on National French Fry Day, McCain is demonstrating the power of regenerative agriculture by showing the world that when we come together, we can bring anything back—even a beloved TV character who left us too soon: Barb.
For years, audiences have wanted to bring Barb back. Fans everywhere have launched petitions, created social campaigns, and even made custom merchandise demanding "Justice for Barb," all in the hopes that their favourite character would return.
McCain has stepped up to bring Barb back, demonstrating what we can achieve when we work together. Using this revived character, McCain is showing how regenerative agriculture can revive healthy farming practices and bring back healthy soil and vibrant biodiversity.
McCain is committed to implementing regenerative agriculture practices on 100 percent of its potato acreage by 2030.
McCain’s core principles of regenerative agriculture include ensuring farm resilience, enhancing crop and ecosystem diversity, armouring soils, minimizing soil disturbance, reducing chemical impacts, optimizing water use, and integrating organic and livestock elements.
"Sustainability has become increasingly important for consumers, particularly the younger generation," explained Matt Kohler, the Managing Director of Canada Retail at McCain. "We want younger audiences to connect with those sustainability initiatives, to learn about regenerative agriculture, and to know that their purchases can make a positive impact for our planet."
This initiative is part of McCain’s ongoing efforts to raise consumer awareness about sustainability and regenerative agriculture.
Last year, McCain entered the metaverse with Regen Fries—fries made from regenerative potatoes—as part of its #SaveOurSoil initiative. Partnering with Roblox, McCain entered a space where younger audiences could begin to understand the challenges currently facing the farming community and the benefits of regenerative farming.
This year, they made fan wishes come true by bringing back Barb to help raise awareness and show that making positive change can be as simple as choosing McCain fries.
McCain Foods (Canada) is the Canadian division of McCain Foods Limited, an international leader in the frozen food industry. It is the largest manufacturer of frozen potato specialties in the world and also produces other quality products such as appetizers, vegetables, and desserts that can be found in restaurants and retail stores in more than 160 countries around the world. In Canada, the company has eight production facilities with approximately 2,400 employees and, in addition to its famous French fries and potato specialties, makes frozen desserts, snacks, and appetizers.