After harvesting the potatoes, they are sent to the processing facility. The twenty-five to thirty ton trucks of potatoes are received in the processing facility. They take a small sample of the potatoes to check for shape, color, size, etc. The potatoes are then sent to the steam peelers, which remove the peel from the outside of the potatoes. They then go to the barrel washers, which are used to rinse the peel off of the potatoes. When reaching the trim tables, workers will check for rocks, corn cobs, or any pieces that are not supposed to be there. While checking for unwanted items, they also trim off any blemishes that may be on the potatoes. The potatoes then shoot through a Lamb Gun Knife at about seventy miles per hour in order to create the shoestring shape. Next they go through the blancher which removes natural sugars and sets up the texture of the fry. Going into the dryer causes the fries to have that outer texture. The fryer is the next step where the fries will get partially fried and be able to have that crisp outer shell, some color and also some flavor. Then they are sent to the freeze tunnel, which will freeze them in oder to send them around the world.
Next the fries are tested in order to make sure they fit with McDonald’s acceptable quality that they always want. Packaging will prepare them to be sent out. The people in these plants are very passionate about what they do and they want the fries to turn out the best they possibly can, so that the consumer will enjoy them.
Lamb Weston is the processing plant for McDonald’s french fries and they pride in their environmental impact on the world. They have diverted more than ninety-five percent of solid waste from landfills through reusing and recycling in thirteen of their plants. Five of their plants have earned the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification. They have earned rewards for their sustainable green building design and processes. They have helped to reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions. They have conserved nine hundred eight million gallons of water and reduced their use of packaging material by more than 15,290 tons. They are committed to preserving and protecting natural resources by controlling energy and water usage and also by reducing waste and pollution. They are committed to this so that they can remain a valuable company to McDonald’s and also to other businesses that use them.
For a visual look at this manufacturing process, visit this page: http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/food_quality/see_what_we_are_made_of/meet_our_suppliers/100_circle_farms.html
For a look at the environmental impact of Lamb Weston, watch this video: http://www.lambweston.com/about/corp-environmental-stewardship
