GOOD AS GOLDEN

McDonald’s French Fries start life as hand-picked, Canterbury-cultivated potatoes. The strict policy of 0% genetic modification means the delicious fries we enjoy are 100% New Zealand-grown goodness.

Is there any vegetable more universally loved than the potato? Whether it’s fried, baked or mashed, the golden spud is a staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world. And while it may be one of the more humble vegetables, a lot of love and care goes into creating a premium potato product.

When it comes to sourcing their ingredients, like the humble potato, McDonald’s New Zealand is proud to support local New Zealand growers and suppliers. Before they become the famous French fries, these potatoes start their journey in the fertile soils of Canterbury. The McDonald’s team hand-picked these specific potatoes because they are some of the best in the world, cultivated by hard-working farmers in and around Ashburton and Canterbury. Four special varieties of potatoes are grown for McDonald’s and all suppliers adhere to a strict policy of zero genetic modification – just 100% real, natural, New Zealand-grown potatoes.

Once harvested, they make the short journey to the McCain Foods facility in Timaru where they are washed, checked and cut before being sent off to McDonald’s restaurants around Aotearoa. The long-standing partnership between McDonald’s and McCain Foods represents a key part of the McDonald’s business model – the majority of their ingredients are sourced or produced locally by the best Kiwi suppliers. In 2021 alone, McDonald’s spent $175 million on ingredients from New Zealand’s primary industries, which includes 11,819 tonnes of potatoes made into French fries for Kiwis to enjoy.

If you’ve ever wondered how Macca’s make their fries so consistently golden, the secret is a natural, corn-derived dextrose solution. The tiniest amount (0.01 per cent of the weight of a frozen fry to be exact) is used to get that golden crunch every time.

“The majority of ingredients are sourced or produced locally by the best Kiwi suppliers.”

Visit the McDonald’s New Zealand website to learn more about where their locally sourced ingredients come from. mcdonalds.co.nz/whats-in-it