McCain Foods has announced a $600 million expansion of its facility near Coaldale, March 13, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

McCain Foods plans to double its workforce in southern Alberta with $600 million expansion

Mar 14, 2023 | 9:33 AM

COALDALE, AB – A major food processor in southern Alberta says it will double the size of its local workforce.

McCain Foods has announced a $600 million expansion of its facility located east of Coaldale, Alberta.

McCain Foods president and CEO Max Koeune says the investment is reflective of the company’s strong business growth and reconfirms its commitment to food production and agriculture in Canada.

“The development in Alberta marks our largest global investment in our 65-year history, totalling $600 million, while underscoring our commitment to the future of agriculture and innovation in Canada,” said Koeune. “This will fuel continued growth for the business, allowing us to serve key markets further by bringing customers high quality potatoes that begin with our dedicated local farming community.”

Once the expansion is complete, McCain says in a news release that its local workforce will increase from 225 to 485 employees.

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The company has operated the local plant since 2000, and says it is a key part of its North American supply network.

“We chose Coaldale [for the expansion] because we were able to build appropriate capacity and support the surrounding community,” said Koeune. “This investment is reflective of McCain’s strong business growth. Expansion across the North American potato network has been significant over the last few years, including Burley, ID, Grand Falls, NB, Othello, WA, and now Coaldale, AB.”

McCain says the expansion in Coaldale will help the company achieve its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations in half by 2030.

It adds that the Coaldale site will be fully powered by renewable energy sources and will include wind turbines, solar panels, and renewable biogas.

The company says there will also be a water recycling system that will produce clean potable water to be used in the manufacturing process.

McCain also plans to increase its food production capacity with the addition of two new production lines. One will be used for french fries while the other will be utilized for potato specialty products.

Lethbridge County Reeve Tory Campbell says the investment by McCain Foods is nothing short of significant.

“The doubling of the McCain Foods facility in Lethbridge County will have an incredible and tangible impact on the economy and our producers,” says Campbell. “As the largest agricultural revenue-producing county in Alberta by far, there is incredible opportunity here for agriculture and agri-food processing. We are committed to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, and this expansion reinforces that Lethbridge County is a great place to grow.”

McCain says construction on the facility expansion is expected to be finished later this year.