After over two decades since Ore-Ida foods HQ left Boise, the renowned potato-based frozen food brand is making a return to the Treasure Valley. In a significant development, Kraft Heinz and the J. R. Simplot Company have inked a multi-year agreement, giving Simplot the exclusive manufacturing and supplying rights for Ore-Ida products, although Kraft Heinz retains ownership of the brand.
Simplot, optimistic about the future, aims to grow the Ore-Ida brand further. Mark McKellar, president of Simplot’s Food Group, expressed excitement about the partnership, anticipating continued success for the iconic brand. While Simplot traditionally supplies to restaurants and businesses in the US, this move symbolizes their foray into the direct-to-consumer space in the country.
An interesting facet of the deal involves the transfer of ownership of Kraft Heinz’s potato manufacturing facility in Ontario, Oregon, to Simplot. The facility, which currently employs around 600 individuals, will see Simplot offering similar positions and comparable pay and benefits to its staff.
As Renee Peets, SVP at Kraft Heinz, noted, the robust consumer demand for Ore-Ida products indicates growth potential. The formal agreement took place on February 22 and is set to conclude this spring. Simplot is scheduled to commence supplying potatoes to Ore-Ida in the 2023/24 crop season.
For more information on this promising partnership, read the full article on Boise Dev.