McDonald’s Canada and McCain Foods Limited are pleased to announce a new collaboration to establish the Future of Potato Farming Fund, which will invest USD1m in education, demonstration, and cost-sharing grants to help potato farmers adopt regenerative practices and technology.

The new Fund’s objectives are to improve soil health and farm resilience as Canadian potato farmers face the growing effects of climate change on yield and crop quality.

“McDonald’s World Famous Fries come from 100% Canadian potatoes, and each one starts with healthy soil and Canada’s dedicated potato growers. McDonald’s Canada and McCain Foods have a long-standing relationship with potato growers across Canada and are working together to help advance agricultural practices and support the next generation of Canadian farmers,” Gemma Pryor, senior director, Canada Impact Team, McDonald’s Canada said.

Storms, drought, unseasonable moisture, early frosts, cool springs, blazing heat waves, and other effects of climate change are already being felt by Canadian farmers. This has a significant impact on farm financial sustainability while threatening food security and crop quality in Canada. The McDonald’s McCain Future of Potato Farming Fund aims to protect Canada’s farming industry by assisting farmers in adopting regenerative practices that improve soil health and build critical farm resilience.

“Climate change continues to impact the crop and our potato growing communities. To address this, McCain has pledged to implement regenerative agricultural practices across 100% of its potato acreage by 2030. Through our shared vision with McDonald’s Canada, we are focused on supporting our growers in accelerating the transition to the key principles of regenerative agriculture like maintaining living cover, reducing tillage intensity, diversifying rotations, reducing the intensity of chemical applications, and enhancing biodiversity. Education, demonstrations, and direct grower funding of practice adoption through this Fund may lead to achieving healthier Canadian soils while creating delicious, planet-friendly food,” Jeremy Carter, director of Agriculture, Western Canada, McCain Foods, added.

McCain Foods released their global Regenerative Agriculture Framework in June, which defines and quantifies a regenerative potato acre. This voluntary framework, developed in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders and used globally, will assist growers as they transition to regenerative agriculture.

As a fellow food industry leader, McDonald’s Canada sources from invests in, and works with partners and suppliers who align with its values to help build a thriving, resilient food system. The company is living its purpose to feed and foster communities – food quality and sourcing are one way it’s taking positive action on key areas that matter to Canadians so they can Love what’s next.

“The partnership between McDonald’s Canada and McCain Foods highlights the importance of coming together as an industry to support Canadian farmers in their ongoing transition to regenerative agriculture. Canadian potato farmers are excited to trial priority regenerative practices and technology through the Fund’s cost-share mechanism. This is a great example of supporting Canadian farmers with the tools they need to trial regenerative farming techniques, with an aim to future-proofing the land, and ensuring quality potatoes to share with Canadians for generations to come,” Matt Hemphill, executive director at Potatoes New Brunswick declared.

More than 130 Canadian farmers representing more than 30,756 hectares of potato farmland will be eligible for the Fund. Beginning in August 2022, it will consist of two rounds of grants for growers to implement established regulatory practices to improve soil health and resilience. Growers can apply to the Fund for cost-sharing assistance with a variety of priority regenerative practices and technologies, including cover crop seed, flower strip seed, lower intensity tillage equipment, decision support systems, organic soil amendments, and others.

An expert selection committee comprised of representatives from McDonald’s Canada, McCain Foods, The Soil Health Institute, and a national potato farming association will make funding decisions jointly. McDonald’s Canada and McCain Foods will collaborate with the Soil Health Institute to track program progress, specifically increased soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, increased bulk density and aggregate stability, plant available water, and improved drainage capacity.

McDonald’s Canada and McCain Foods are focused on building climate resilience so that all can enjoy great-tasting, quality food.