GRAND FALLS, N.B., Aug. 29, 2018–Les Fermes FC Daigle Inc. of Drummond was named the 2017-2018 McCain Champion Potato Grower for Grand Falls during the 44th annual McCain Growers’ Banquet on August 21. This year, more than 200 guests gathered at Centre E&P Sénéchal to celebrate the top growers and their hard work over the past year.
Allison McCain, chairman of McCain Foods Ltd., Bryan McCourt, vice-president of marketing Canada and Christine Wentworth, vice-president of agriculture North America, extended personal congratulations to Les Fermes FC Daigle and all of the McCain growers. McCain emphasized the current growth in the market and his optimism about the year ahead. “The market is there and we just have to seize the opportunity,” he said, before thanking all the growers for their hard work.
Wentworth focused on technological developments in agriculture and crediting their success. “Your potatoes and focus on continuous improvement enable McCain to create the best French fries and frozen potato products in the world,” she said. McCourt emphasized the important role of growers. “You grow the most important ingredient; the potatoes that make the McCain products that families know and love,” he said.
Fabien Daigle, his wife, Carole, and son, Tobie, were shocked to be announced as the Champion Grower. The Daigle family has been contracting with McCain for 42 years, have held the top ten position 10 times, and this was their second time earning the Champion Grower title.
“We were very surprised to win because the competition is fierce in this area and we are a smaller family farm,” said Carole. Fabien added, “We can’t grow as much as others with more land, so we really focus on quality. We ensure the quality of our organic matter to grow the best potatoes.”
Special guests included Kevin McCully, director of agriculture, Marcel Levesque, Mayor of Saint-André, France Roussel, Mayor of Drummond, Marcel Deschênes, Mayor of Grand Falls and Chuck Chiasson, MLA for Victoria La Vallée.
The other growers who qualified for the top 10 roster, in order of final standing were:
- Les Fermes Luc Ouellette et Fils Inc. (Jean Luc Ouellette and Marie Fournier—Drummond)
- Les Fermes Lionel et Alyre Poitras (Lionel & Alyre Poitras and son Paul—Saint-André)
- Toner Produce Ltd. (Luc Gervais, Tommy Toner and daughter Jessica—Grand Falls)
- Les Fermes GIL Roberge Ltd. (Guildor Roberge and his son Luc—Saint-André)
- Givskud Farms Inc. (Mike Givskud and son Andrew—Drummond)
- Les Fermes Poitras Inc. (Rock Poitras and his sons, Luc and Brandon—Saint-André)
- Eagle Farms Ltd. (Gilles Godbout and his son, Mathieu—Saint-André)
- Les Fermes Bernard & Gérard Levesque (Bernard & Gérard Levesque—Drummond)
- Les Fermes L.P. Thériault et Fils Ltd. (Marc Thériault—Drummond)
Middle Row, L-R: Christine Wentworth, VP Agriculture NA, Josée Bernard, Field Representative, Rock Poitras, Luc Poitras, Brandon Poitras, Guildor Roberge, Tommy Toner, Bernard Levesque, Jessica Toner, Marc Thériault, David Good, Director, Ag Supplier Relations NA.
Back Row, L-R: Mario Desjardins, Field Representative, Allison McCain, Chairman, McCain Foods Limited, Dale McCarthy, VP Integrated Supply Chain NA, Rodney Norquay, Senior Director, Manufacturing, Gilles Godbout, Mike Givskud, Mathieu Godbout, Paul Poitras, Luc Roberge, André Poitras, Rudy Michaud, Field Representative, Luc Coté, Field Department Manager.
Source: McCain Foods
