McCain Foods to resume $300 million expansion

New jobs and French fry tech

Katie Teachout, The Journal | Last updated Oct 09, 2020 1:44pm0

Katie Teachout count

Construction will resume this month on a 170,000-square-foot expansion at the Othello potato processing facility pictured here in May.

OTHELLO – McCain Foods USA will resume construction of a 170,000-square-foot expansion to its potato processing facility in Othello.

The construction was halted last spring due to COVID-19 restrictions on all non-essential work.

"This expansion will increase production capacity through the addition of a new state-of-the-art French fry processing line, bring new jobs to the community and require approximately 11,000 additional acres, sourced from local potato growers in the region," Paolo Picchi, Regional President of the Americas said.

The $300 million investment and expansion is expected to bring 180 new jobs to area residents.

McCain Foods Othello employs over 450 individuals and has been in operation the past 31 years, according to McCain Foods staff.

McCain Foods is the world's largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, with distribution world-wide.

Author Bio

Katie Teachout, Editor

Katie Teachout is the editor of The Ritzville Adams County Journal. Previously, she worked as a reporter at The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Oroville Gazette-Tribune, Northern Kittitas County Tribune and the Methow Valley News. She is a graduate of Western Washington University.