McDonald’s and McCain partner to boost regenerative soil practices

A new partnership between McDonald’s and McCain Foods will invest $1 million in regenerative soil education and practices for Canadian potato production. 

“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,” said Jeremy Carter, McCain Foods’ western Canada agriculture director in a release.

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The McCain Future of Potato Farming Fund (FPFF) will support McCain’s 130 Canadian potato farmers in adopting regenerative soil practices through two rounds of cost-share grant applications, the first of which began in August 2022. The second stream will open in August 2023. 

FPFF and its selection committee, which includes representatives from the Soil Health Institute and a national potato farming association, will assess applications against a list of priority regenerative practices and technologies, including cover crops, flower strips, and low-intensity tillage.

“Canadian potato farmers are excited to trial priority regenerative practices and technology through the Fund’s cost-share mechanism,” said Matt Hemphill, Potatoes New Brunswick’s executive director. “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.”

Gemma Pryor, McDonald’s Canada’s Canada Impact Team senior director, said their restaurants use 100 per cent Canadian potatoes. The fund reflects a long-standing relationship with producers supporting the next generation of farmers through advancing agricultural practices.

McCain previously announced a pledge to implement regenerative agricultural practices across 100 per cent of its potato acreage by 2030.