'Nothing into something': Little potatoes turn into big success for Edmonton company
A produce company with Edmonton roots has found big success with tiny potatoes.
The Little Potato Company unveiled its new $39.5 million facility in Nisku on Thursday.
The new 240,000-square-foot building can distribute up to 125 million pounds of potatoes each year.
"It’s state of the art," said founder Angela Santiago. "We’ve thought of a lot of sustainable things like solar panels and recycling water."
Santiago and her father started the Little Potato Company in 1996, growing and harvesting the potatoes themselves on a one-acre plot of land just a few blocks from the new processing plant.
The company now has more than 400 employees, with 200 working in the new building.
"It’s a celebration of something that grew from nothing into something," Santiago said.
"There's a sense of accomplishment but also calmness," she said. "Because I think there’s still lots of opportunity for growth, so it’s still very exciting."
Alberta's minister of agriculture and irrigation said the new facility is part of a "thriving" agricultural industry in the province.
"This facility is so high tech that in the shipping facility, the lights come on and off to anticipate where the forklifts are going to make sure it’s as energy efficient as possible," said RJ Sigurdson.
According to Sigurdson, 80,000 acres of potatoes were grown in Alberta in 2023. That's up from 73,000 the year before.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
Two celestial shows will be visible across Canada this week
Canada is getting not one – but two – celestial shows over the next few days. Keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights and parade of planets!
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
Hundreds of workers on strike at Gibraltar copper mine in British Columbia
More than 500 workers are on strike at the Gibraltar copper mine in central British Columbia, about 200 kilometres south of Prince George.
Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not, but you might stick with it
As weight-loss plans go, it's easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day.