In a groundbreaking development that underscores the vitality of Idaho’s potato industry, Lamb Weston has announced a colossal $415 million expansion project at its American Falls facility, as David Sparks reports in this Idaho Ag Today news story.
The ambitious initiative aims to bolster the plant’s french fry production capacity by a staggering 40%, thereby establishing it as one of the largest frozen potato processing facilities on the global stage. Divided into three phases, the first leg of the project is already up and running, with the remaining two expected to reach completion by June or July of 2024.
This massive investment is poised to bring a windfall of economic benefits to the state of Idaho. An additional 12,000 acres of potato farmland will be cultivated, primarily in Power and Bingham counties, which have long been the primary suppliers for the American Falls operation. Furthermore, the expansion is projected to create around 280 new job opportunities, offering a significant employment boost to the local community.
Tom Werner, President and CEO of Lamb Weston, expressed unflinching confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the global french fry market. “We continue to be confident about the long-term health and growth of the global french fry market,” Werner said in a news release.
The expansion is not merely a corporate milestone for Lamb Weston but serves as a ringing endorsement of the strength and future potential of Idaho’s world-renowned potato industry.
Source: Idaho Ag Today. Read the full story here and listen to an audio version
Photo: Credit Lamb Weston
