Cavendish Farms, a division of J.D. Irving Ltd., has outlined a nearly $150 million investment for its Jamestown potato plant aimed at enhancing production and environmental management. The initiative, set to commence in spring 2025, will see a $100 million expansion increasing the facility's footprint by 55 feet and boosting its annual production capacity from 410 million to 450 million pounds. This development will also encompass a fryer replacement and improvements to the working environment and storage facilities.

Additionally, the investment plan includes a $15 million upgrade to packaging capabilities and a $30 million wastewater treatment plant, which aims to alleviate the burden on Jamestown's municipal wastewater system. The new treatment facility will internalize wastewater management for Cavendish Farms, as detailed by Daniel Richard, vice president at J.D. Irving Limited.

The expansion is projected to secure the plant's processing operations for the next two decades, with minimal disruptions expected during the construction phase. Cavendish Farms processes potatoes for major restaurant chains and markets proprietary products, sourcing its primary raw materials from North Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. This geographical diversity mitigates the risk of crop failures due to localized weather or disease outbreaks.

The Jamestown plant plays a crucial role in Cavendish Farms' position as the fourth largest processor of frozen potatoes in North America and represents the company's sole food processing facility in the U.S. This expansion is anticipated to bolster the potato processing industry, providing increased opportunities for growers in the supplying states, all of which are significant potato producers in the United States.

Source: Grand Forks Herald, November 29, 2024.