McCain Foods — the world's largest manufacturer of frozen potato products — is on a mission to transform the way every single one of its potatoes is grown. With a bold commitment to implement regenerative agricultural practices across 100% of its global potato acreage by 2030, the company is now matching ambition with action, launching its third and final Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire to anchor that transition in real-world, science-backed farming innovation.
The Farm of the Future: A Blueprint in North Yorkshire
McCain's newly launched 202-hectare Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire is the third and final installment of a global initiative to establish commercial-scale regenerative research hubs. It joins sister farms in Canada and South Africa, completing a network designed to test, validate, and share best practices across McCain's worldwide farming community.
Anchored by a 20-year partnership with the University of Leeds, the North Yorkshire site will leverage academic research to rigorously validate regenerative techniques under real farming conditions. Among the innovations being piloted are controlled traffic farming to prevent soil compaction, year-round soil cover strategies to improve biodiversity, and a pioneering circular nutrient system developed in collaboration with the National Pig Centre — using organic manure as a natural fertilizer to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The Farm of the Future will also serve as a launchpad for the next generation of agricultural technology, exploring the deployment of autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels for farm equipment — positioning McCain at the frontier of smart, sustainable food production.
Progress Toward 100%: Where McCain Stands Today
McCain's 2024 Global Sustainability Report reflects substantial momentum. As of fiscal year 2024, 71% of McCain's farming partners are now onboarded to the McCain Regenerative Agriculture Framework, and 24% have reached the "Engaged" level — meaning they are actively implementing practices designed to improve farm resilience. More than 25,600 hours of training have been delivered to help farming partners navigate the transition.
The company has also made notable strides in operational sustainability: a 12% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2017, a 20% improvement in water use efficiency at priority plants, and 23% of total electrical energy consumption now sourced from renewable electricity. Approximately 99% of paper packaging and 92% of plastic packaging are now designed to be recyclable.
Among short-term targets, McCain is working to reduce Scope 3 CO₂ emissions per tonne from potato farming, storage, and freight by 2030, and to improve water-use efficiency in water-stressed regions by 2025 — with 22% of its total portfolio already using water stress-tolerant potato varieties.
"Agriculture is at the heart of our business, and our commitment to regenerative agriculture is at the core of our sustainability journey. In the face of challenges like extreme weather, geopolitical unrest and inflation, McCain remains dedicated to working with partners and communities to drive meaningful progress toward its targets to achieve a resilient supply chain and a more sustainable future."— Max Koeune, President & CEO, McCain Foods
Supporting Farmers Through the Transition
At the core of McCain's approach is its direct relationship with more than 4,400 farming partners worldwide. The company's own research found that while 77% of British farmers believe sustainable practices are necessary for the future, many require more support to manage the risks of transitioning. By sharing data and innovations from its Farms of the Future across this global network, McCain aims to de-risk the shift toward regenerative methods.
Technical assistance and education are complemented by innovative financing solutions. In 2023, McCain launched financial partnerships with Rabobank, Farm Credit Canada, and NatWest to offset the costs that come with adopting new technologies and practices. Additionally, McCain Foods USA and its partners — including Campbell Soup Company and the Soil Health Institute — were awarded $6.9 million in USDA federal funding to scale up soil health technical assistance across more than 6,000 acres in Wisconsin and Maine.