Cavendish topic at Kiwanis Club

Mitch Brecto introduced Greg Allen from Cavendish at the Kiwanis Club’s noon luncheon meeting April 2 at the Lantern Room. Allen said Cavendish took over AVIKO in 2001.

Cavendish is the fourth-largest processor of frozen potato products in North America. Each year Cavendish processes 600 million pounds of potatoes. Its largest customer is Wendy’s; however, it also sells to businesses, schools and prisons. In 2011, it produced 132 million more potatoes than the first year which is a 61 percent increase.

Cavendish has a recycling program with about 20 tons recycled per month. The owners, the Irvings, from Canada, also own trucking lines and their own railroad system. They are the fifth-largest land owner in the U.S. They give incentives out to all employees when things are going well. This past year each employee received $480. There are 220 employees and they work seven days a week. Each employee works 12 -hour shifts so the employee only has to work 15-16 days a month and every other weekend. The Irvings are committed to being here. A lot of the potatoes are grown here, purchased here and the money comes back to Jamestown.

Tim Burchill led the meeting with 19 members attending. Wes Hart led the group singing and “Happy Dollars” went to pediatric care at Jamestown Regional Medical Center. There was one guest in attendance, Jessica Haak, who works at the North Dakota Farmers Union State Office. Bob Welsh handed out pancake tickets for pancake day on May 7 and Janna Bergstedt reminded everyone to sell their tickets for the wine and cheesecake event on April 13.

Michael Grounds is the chairman for the April 16 noon luncheon meeting at the Lantern Room.

Tags: community, clubs