McDonald’s Canada and McCain Foods have joined forces to launch the Future of Potato Farming Fund to help improve soil health using regenerative farming practices.
The $1m investment will provide Candian potato growers with education, demonstration and cost-sharing grants to support sustainable farming methods and technology aimed at improving soil health.
The fund’s goal is to build a more resilient farming landscape in Canada, to mitigate the impact of climate change on yield and crop quality.
Gemma Pryor, senior director, Canada impact team, McDonald’s Canada, said: “McDonald’s…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.”
Jeremy Carter, director agriculture, Western Canada, McCain Foods, commented: “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 per cent of its potato acreage by 2030.”
He continued: “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.”
The fund will be open to more than 130 Canadian farmers, representing over 76,000 acres of potato farmland, and the first round of grants will take place this month.
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