The leading food companies recognised the five Columbian Basin growers at an awards ceremony at the end of last year.

Growers Ed Schneider from Schneider Farms, Jack Gross, Marlin Hutterian Brethren, Keys Weyns from Weyns Farms, Berend Friehe from Friehe Farms and John McCloud, from Glen Lewis Farms were all recognised for their achievements.

Bret Nedrow, Simplot regional raw procurement manager at Moses Lake, said: "The selection of these five growers for this special recognition was based on raw potato grades delivered into the facilities during McDonald's production runs by using the JR Simplot Grower Matrix.

"The growers were selected based on their high quality raw product delivered and used to produce the consistently superior fries and hash browns that McDonald's is known for in their restaurants worldwide."

Simplot supply McDonald's in Japan with French fries and hash browns made from potatoes grown in the Columbian Basin.

Japan is the largest consumer of McDonald's produce, outside the US, with nearly 4,000 restaurants.