PRESQUE ISLE – McCain Foods USA, a leader in the frozen food market and a leading employer in northern Maine, as well as a major force in the economy of Aroostook, has stepped up as a lead gift contributor to the Campaign for the County’s College.
The $25,000 pledge by McCain to the first-ever major gifts campaign conducted jointly by Northern Maine Community College and the NMCC Foundation will support the “Investing in Innovation” technology endowment fund. Money from the fund will be used to purchase instructional technology and equipment on the NMCC campus.
Frank van Schaayk, chief executive officer of McCain Foods USA, said, “We value education and life long learning, and this pledge supports those values, as well as McCain’s tradition of supporting our local communities.”
The corporate contribution from McCain is the latest development in a longstanding relationship between the company and NMCC, which in the past has included College personnel working collaboratively with various departments at the Easton potato processing plant to assist with employee training and continuing education.
New areas for partnership, including possible internships for NMCC students at McCain’s central Aroostook facility and additional workforce development opportunities for McCain employees, are currently being developed by officials from both institutions.
“The relationship that has existed and continues to flourish between NMCC and McCain underscores Northern Maine Community College’s role as a leading partner in the economic development of Aroostook County. This investment in The County’s College by McCain is indicative of the impact NMCC has on meeting the needs of regional employers,” said Brian Hamel, tri-chair for the fund-raising campaign and former chair of the Maine Community College System board of trustees. “We could not be more pleased with McCain’s willingness to join in this effort to help strengthen our College.”
The Campaign for the County’s College was established to raise $2 million over the next year to both support student scholarships and instructional technology, as well as to assist NMCC in new and ongoing efforts to respond promptly to community needs.
McCain is firmly rooted in northern Maine and neighboring New Brunswick. The company began 50 years ago in nearby Florenceville, New Brunswick, as a small Canadian processing plant with 30 employees, and has since grown to become the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of frozen food products.
McCain first entered the U.S. market in 1975, and in 1976, acquired the potato plant in Easton. Since then, the scope of the U.S. business has broadened considerably with the acquisitions of Ellio’s Pizza in New York in 1988, the Ore-Ida foodservice business from Heinz in 1997, and Anchor Foods in 2001.
Further expansion in 2006 included the acquisitions of Jon-Lin, makers of roasted vegetable products and appetizers, and Kempco, a dough-enrobed production business. McCain Foods USA now has 11 production plants with a USA corporate office located in Lisle, Ill.
McCain Foods Limited has more than 55 production facilities on six continents supported by more than 20,000 people. Over the years, McCain has succeeded in becoming the world’s largest processor of French fries.
In addition to potato specialties, McCain’s product line includes vegetables, desserts, pizza, juices, beverages, oven meals, entrees, appetizers, and other quality food products, which are marketed and sold in both the food service and retail markets.