Simplot facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Founded | 1929 in Declo, Idaho, U.S. |
| Founder | J. R. Simplot |
| Headquarters | Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
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Key people
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| Revenue |  US$6.0 billion (2020) |
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Number of employees
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11,000 |
The J. R. Simplot Company, often called Simplot, is a big agribusiness company. It helps farmers grow food and makes many food products. Its main office is in Boise, Idaho, in the United States.
Contents
Simplot's Story: From Farm to Fries
Simplot was started in 1929 by a 20-year-old named John Richard Simplot. He began his business near Declo, Idaho, a farming area. In the early 1940s, the company grew a lot. It helped the military during World War II by providing dried onions and potatoes. The company officially became the J. R. Simplot Company in 1955.
How Simplot Became a French Fry Giant
Simplot became very successful because of frozen French fries. One of its scientists, Ray L. Dunlap, helped make them popular. By the early 1970s, Simplot was the main supplier of French fries to McDonald's. By 2005, it provided more than half of all French fries for the famous fast-food chain. Simplot also makes fertilizers that help crops grow.
Today, Simplot is one of the largest privately owned companies in the world. It has offices and plants in many countries. These include Australia, Canada, Mexico, and China. A major plant is located in Caldwell, Idaho.
J. R. Simplot stopped being the company president in 1973. However, he stayed involved for many years. He passed away in 2008 at 99 years old.
In 2022, Simplot bought the Ore-Ida potato factory in Ontario, Oregon. Simplot now makes Ore-Ida products, even though Kraft Heinz still owns the Ore-Ida brand. In 2025, Simplot also bought Clarebout Patatoes, a company from Belgium.
Simplot Helps the Community
Since it started, the J. R. Simplot Company has given money and support to many local groups. These include the Ronald McDonald House, WWF-Australia, and Boys and Girls Clubs. They also support Future Farmers of America and the Special Olympics.
Simplot employees help decide where the company's donations go. The company has given thousands of pounds of potatoes to food banks. They also support arts groups in Idaho, like Ballet Idaho and Opera Idaho. In 2009, Simplot won an award for its community work from the United Way.
Simplot and the Environment
Simplot works to improve its environmental impact. In 2002, the company agreed to buy new equipment and pay fines. This was because of an unreported release of sulfur dioxide from a plant in Pocatello, Idaho. In 2004, Simplot also paid a fine and installed equipment to control air pollution. This was at its mining facility in Overton, Nevada.
Simplot has joined efforts to reduce energy use. It has also received awards for its environmental work. In 2012, Simplot teamed up with conservation groups. They worked together to improve the water quality of the Blackfoot River in Eastern Idaho.
More recently, Simplot has worked with government agencies. They have settled issues related to air pollution controls at some of their plants. They also addressed waste management at their Wyoming facility. In 2021, Simplot paid a penalty for issues with handling pesticides.
Special Potatoes: The Innate Potato
Simplot created a special kind of potato called the Innate potato. The USDA approved it in 2014. The FDA also approved it in 2015. These potatoes are designed to resist blackspot bruising and browning. They also have less of a substance called asparagine.
Asparagine can turn into something called acrylamide when potatoes are fried. Acrylamide might be harmful, so having less of it is good. The name "Innate" means that these potatoes only use genes from other potatoes. They don't have genes from different types of plants. This is done using a process that "switches off" certain genes. Simplot hopes this will make people feel better about this new technology.
The "Innate" potato is not just one type of potato. It's a group of potato varieties that have been changed in the same way. For example, Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank potatoes have "Innate" versions. These versions have all their original traits plus the new engineered ones.
Simplot Brands You Might Know
- Ally (salmon)
- Apex Products (fertilizer)
- Best Products (fertilizer)
- Bird's Eye - Australia and New Zealand (frozen fish, vegetables, potatoes, and meals)
- Chicken Tonight (Australia and New Zealand)
- Chiko Rolls
- Edgell (frozen vegetables)
- GAL-XeONE (controlled-release fertilizer)
- Harvest (heat and eat)
- I&J (frozen meats)
- Innate (potatoes)
- Jacklin Seed (grass seed)
- John West - Australia (tuna and salmon)
- Leggo's (Italian dishes)
- Raguletto (Australia and New Zealand)
- Seakist (tuna)
Images for kids
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A view of the Simplot plant in Caldwell, Idaho, around 1930–1945.
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An Edgell "Nourish Bowl"
See also
- List of companies based in Idaho
