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Ore-Ida
Ore-Ida
from Wikipedia

Ore-Ida (/ɔːrˈdə/; orr-EYE-də) is a brand of potato-based frozen foods owned by Kraft Heinz's H.J. Heinz Company Brands LLC, which is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Key Information

Ore-Ida's primary production facility is located in Ontario, Oregon, near the Idaho border where the company was originally founded in 1949.[3][4]

History

[edit]
Francis Nephi Grigg, one of the Grigg brothers who founded the "Oregon Frozen Foods Company" that evolved into Ore-Ida

In 1934, entrepreneurs Francis Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg began growing sweet corn in eastern Oregon. Their first company, "Grigg Brothers", became the largest distributor of sweet corn in the United States.[1][5][2] In 1949, with financial backing from their brother-in-law Otis Williams, the brothers rented a frozen food plant located in Ontario and converted it into a potato-processing facility. The three purchased the facility around 1952 after the plant went into foreclosure.[1][5][6] The company was officially founded that year as the "Oregon Frozen Foods Company".[6][7]

The company initially produced and sold frozen corn and French fries.[1][5][8] In 1953, Nephi, Golden, Otis, and Ross developed Tater Tots, bite-sized "logs" formed from seasoned slivers of potatoes, which were leftovers from French fry production.[1][3][9] The name “tater tots” can be attributed to Clora Lay Orton after the brothers created a contest with their friends and employees to create a name for the potato “logs".[10] Tater Tots are today considered the brand's most well known product.[9][2][4]

In 1960, the company built a second plant in Burley, Idaho.[6][11] The company's name is a syllabic abbreviation of the first few letters of Oregon and Idaho and the original logo consisted of the outlines of Oregon and Idaho with Ore-Ida superimposed in italicized letters.[1]

After going public in 1961,[1][12] the Ore-Ida brand was acquired by the H. J. Heinz Company in 1965.[1][11][13] The Heinz company coined Ore-Ida's long-time advertising slogan: “When it says Ore-Ida, it’s All Righta.”[11]

McCain Foods purchased Ore-Ida's foodservice division in 1997, acquiring five of the company's plants, including the Burley location.[2][14][15] Ore-Ida's division headquarters were located in Boise until 1999, when a new frozen foods division was created based at Heinz's corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[14][16]

In 2022, Boise-based J.R. Simplot Company acquired the Ontario facility; Kraft Heinz retains ownership of the Ore-Ida brand, which is now produced by Simplot under a long-term agreement.[17][18][19]

Sports sponsorship

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See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ore-Ida is an American brand of frozen potato products owned by The Kraft Heinz Company, founded in 1952 by brothers F. Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg in , near the border—a location that inspired the brand's name as a portmanteau of "" and "." The company revolutionized the industry by inventing in 1953, using leftover potato scraps from french fry production to create bite-sized, shredded potato cylinders that were extruded, seasoned, and fried. This innovation addressed food waste while producing a convenient, popular that debuted in grocery stores by 1956 and quickly became a household staple. The Grigg brothers, who had earlier operated as Oregon Frozen Foods starting in 1950, focused initially on frozen sweet corn and french fries before pivoting to potatoes with Ore-Ida. By 1952, Ore-Ida had become the nation's leading marketer of frozen potatoes, leveraging flash-freezing technology purchased through mortgaged family farms. The company went public in 1961, opening a second plant in Burley, Idaho, and was sold to H.J. Heinz Company in 1965 for $30 million (equivalent to approximately $287 million in 2023 dollars), marking a significant milestone in its growth. Following Heinz's 2015 merger with Kraft Foods, Ore-Ida remains under Kraft Heinz ownership, with manufacturing exclusively handled by J.R. Simplot Company since 2022 after the transfer of its original Ontario facility. Today, Ore-Ida products are made from fresh American-grown potatoes, emphasizing quality and convenience for consumers. Ore-Ida's product lineup centers on frozen potato specialties, including its flagship Tater Tots—known for their crispy exterior and fluffy interior—as well as various such as Country Style French Fries with skins, Extra Crispy Fries, and Crinkle-Cut Fries. Other notable items include Crispy Crowns (potato rounds topped with cheese), Crispy Twirls, and Homestyle Fries, all designed for easy preparation in home kitchens or foodservice settings. The brand has maintained its position as America's top-selling frozen since its inception, with Tater Tots alone evoking cultural nostalgia and appearing in countless recipes and meals.

History

Founding and early operations

The Grigg brothers, F. Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg, grew up on a family farm near , in a of 13 children, where they developed an early interest in agriculture and food distribution. In their teens during the , they began peddling fresh door-to-door in using a horse-drawn wagon, emphasizing the product's freshness by harvesting it at midnight. By , the brothers had relocated to a farm near Vale, , and expanded into growing and selling potatoes and other produce through their Griggs Brothers Produce Company, established in 1940, building expertise in amid the region's abundant agricultural output. In the late 1940s, following World War II, the brothers sought to capitalize on the emerging frozen food market amid a national boom in preserved produce, driven by technological advances and consumer demand for convenience. They initially rented freezer space in a locker plant in Ontario, Oregon, near the Idaho border, to store and distribute their fresh potatoes and sweet corn, marking their entry into frozen operations. By 1949, they had formed the Oregon Frozen Foods Company and leased a nearby quick-freeze facility originally built in 1943, allowing them to process and ship frozen sweet corn across the country. This venture proved successful, as by 1951, the company had become the largest distributor of sweet corn in the United States, shipping products as far as Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Facing agricultural surpluses that pressured fresh produce prices and generated significant , the Griggs aimed to innovate in to reduce losses. In 1952, they purchased the foreclosed plant in by mortgaging their homes and securing loans from local investors, renaming their new subsidiary Ore-Ida Potato Products, Inc., a portmanteau of and reflecting its border location. The company focused on producing frozen , utilizing potato scraps left over from peeling and cutting for the fresh market to minimize and create a value-added product. Early operations were challenged by skeptical lenders wary of the unproven frozen potato market, requiring the brothers to use raw potatoes as collateral, but their agricultural background and persistence in waste reduction laid the foundation for growth. This scrap-utilization strategy later inspired innovations like .

Product innovations

In 1953, brothers F. Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg, co-founders of Ore-Ida, invented using potato scraps leftover from their french fry production process. These scraps, which had previously been fed to , were repurposed to reduce and generate additional revenue. Initially shaped into longer forms known as "potato logs," the product was later cut into bite-sized cylinders and renamed "" by a company research team for its catchy, marketable appeal, with the name trademarked in 1958. The creation process involved grinding the potato scraps into a , mixing them with and seasonings for cohesion, and extruding the mixture through custom machinery—initially a redesigned sorter—to form the small cylinders. These were then blanched, partially fried in oil to set the shape and add flavor, and quick-frozen for retail sale. This method not only addressed the inefficiency of discarding significant potato scraps during french fry cutting but also introduced a convenient, shelf-stable frozen snack that expanded Ore-Ida's product lineup beyond basic fries. Upon its market debut in grocery stores in 1956, Tater Tots faced slow initial sales, as consumers were unfamiliar with the novel product and perceived it as made from low-quality "trash" scraps, leading to hesitation despite aggressive promotion. To counter this, Ore-Ida raised prices to position it as a premium item, which gradually improved acceptance. In contrast, the company's experienced rapid growth during the mid-1950s, becoming its primary revenue driver as demand for convenient potatoes surged among households and institutions, establishing Ore-Ida as a leader in the emerging sector. Ore-Ida advanced freezing technology in the early by investing in a dedicated flash-freezing plant in , which used rapid air-blast methods to preserve texture and quality in both french fries and Tater Tots, enabling longer storage times without spoilage. Complementing this, innovations in packaging included oil-coating the products before bagging to prevent sticking during freezing and transport, which supported reliable national distribution through expanded rail and truck networks by the late .

Acquisitions and expansions

During the 1950s and early 1960s, Ore-Ida experienced rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for frozen potato products amid the broader surge in convenience foods that catered to busy households and rising female workforce participation. The company captured approximately 25% of the domestic frozen potato market by the late 1950s, fueled by innovations like Tater Tots and french fries that minimized waste and appealed to consumers seeking quick meal solutions. To meet this demand, Ore-Ida constructed a second processing plant in Burley, Idaho, in 1960 at a cost of $3 million, capable of producing 500,000 pounds of product per day and enabling year-round operations through advanced long-haul storage. In 1961, following a public offering that raised $2.5 million, the company added a facility in Greenville, Michigan, further expanding its production footprint and supporting sales that grew from $24 million in 1963 to $31 million by 1964, positioning Ore-Ida as a dominant player in the frozen potato sector. This momentum culminated in the company's sale to the H.J. Heinz Company in 1965 for $30 million in a stock swap, a transaction that highlighted the value of Ore-Ida's core potato-based products and allowed the Grigg brothers to exit amid internal challenges. The acquisition provided Ore-Ida with access to Heinz's established national and international distribution networks, enabling broader U.S. and initial exports that extended the brand's reach beyond its origins. Under Heinz's ownership, Ore-Ida reported net income of $1.3 million on sales exceeding $30 million in the year prior to the deal, underscoring its financial strength and market leadership. Post-acquisition, Ore-Ida continued its expansion trajectory in the late and , with investing in management restructuring and facility upgrades to boost efficiency and capacity. By the mid-, daily volumes had reached 1 million pounds of raw produce, supported by enhancements to existing plants and the integration of 's resources, which solidified Ore-Ida's status as a leading brand amid the decade's ongoing boom. This period marked a shift from regional dominance to national and emerging global prominence, leveraging 's infrastructure to meet surging consumer preferences for easy-to-prepare frozen items.

Recent corporate developments

In 2015, H.J. Heinz Company merged with Kraft Foods Group to form The Company, a multinational and beverage conglomerate co-headquartered in , , and , , with Ore-Ida integrated into its frozen foods portfolio alongside brands like ketchup and Kraft . The merger created the third-largest and beverage company in by revenue, valued at approximately $28 billion, positioning Ore-Ida within a broader structure emphasizing cost synergies and global scale for its potato-based products. In February , entered a multi-year strategic supply agreement with the Company, under which Simplot acquired the manufacturing facility—previously Ore-Ida's primary production site—and gained exclusive rights to manufacture and supply all Ore-Ida products. retained full ownership of the Ore-Ida brand, with the facility transfer completed in the second quarter of , maintaining employment for approximately 600 workers through comparable positions offered by Simplot. This shift leveraged Simplot's in farming and to enhance production efficiency, starting with the 2023-2024 crop season, while upholding Ore-Ida's quality standards through Simplot's specialized expertise in frozen production. Consumer-facing branding and product formulations remained unchanged under the agreement, focusing instead on innovation to support Ore-Ida's annual net sales of around $500 million. In September 2025, Kraft Heinz announced its intent to split into two separate publicly traded companies: Global Taste Elevation, focusing on high-growth condiments and sauces, and North American Grocery, encompassing grocery brands including Ore-Ida frozen potato products. The spin-off aims to unlock and streamline operations, with the separation expected to complete in 2026; Ore-Ida will continue under the North American Grocery entity as of November 2025. As of 2025, Ore-Ida emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices in its , including regenerative farming initiatives to reduce environmental impact and improve for key ingredients like . These efforts address ongoing industry challenges, such as potato supply fluctuations driven by agricultural volatility and effects on crop yields, which have prompted broader commitments to responsible sourcing across the frozen potato sector.

Products

Tater Tots

Tater Tots, Ore-Ida's flagship product, originated in 1953 as a way to utilize potato scraps leftover from french fry production. The original recipe consists of shredded potatoes combined with salt, minimal binders such as corn flour and dextrose, and seasonings, which are then formed into small cylindrical tots, par-fried for crispiness, and frozen for convenient preparation in an oven or fryer. Over the years, Ore-Ida has expanded its lineup to include several varieties that cater to different tastes and occasions. The classic Golden Tater Tots offer a traditional shredded base with a light golden exterior. Extra Crispy Tater Tots feature an enhanced coating for added crunch while maintaining the fluffy interior. Mini Tater Tots provide bite-sized portions ideal for snacking or toppings, containing dehydrated for subtle flavor. Seasoned options, such as Onion Tater Tots, incorporate diced onions into the shredded potato mix for a savory twist. In 2025, Ore-Ida introduced CrouTots, a golden, crispy Tater Tots variant designed as a topping inspired by trends. While specific breakfast-oriented products with cheese or are not standard, Tater Tots are commonly loaded with such toppings in popular recipes to create breakfast casseroles. Nutritionally, Tater Tots are high in carbohydrates, providing energy from potatoes, and can be lower in when baked rather than deep-fried, as the par-frying process is minimal before freezing. A standard 3-ounce serving (about 9 pieces) contains approximately 160 calories, with 8 grams of total (1.5 grams saturated), 20 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein; they are also gluten-free due to the absence of wheat-based binders. Ore-Ida emphasizes the use of Grade A American-grown potatoes in all varieties to ensure quality and consistency. As an iconic American side dish, have permeated U.S. culture since their introduction, becoming a staple in school cafeterias, fast-food menus, and home kitchens for their versatile, comforting appeal. They feature prominently in recipes like the Midwestern and loaded "totchos," and have inspired memes and trends celebrating their crispy texture and nostalgic role in family meals. By the 1980s, their widespread popularity had solidified them as a symbol of everyday American ingenuity and convenience.

French fries

Ore-Ida's frozen French fries, introduced in the early 1950s as the company's inaugural major product, form a cornerstone of its potato offerings, providing versatile side dishes with diverse textures and flavors. The core varieties encompass crinkle-cut fries, such as the Crispy Crinkles, which feature a textured surface for enhanced crispiness; shoestring fries, like the thin Crispy Shoestrings, ideal for light and quick-cooking options; steak fries, including the thick wedge-style Golden Thick Cut Steak Fries for a hearty bite; extra crispy fast food-style fries, exemplified by the Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries that mimic restaurant-quality crunch; and curly seasoned fries, such as the Zesty Twirls coated in bold seasonings for added zest. These fries are produced using potatoes sourced from U.S. farms, primarily in and , where fresh, Grade A potatoes are peeled, cut into the desired shapes, blanched to preserve color and texture, partially fried in vegetable oils like canola, , or , lightly seasoned with options such as , dextrose, or zesty blends, and then quick-frozen to lock in freshness. Preparation methods emphasize convenience and customization, with oven- at 425–450°F recommended for a healthier alternative that yields crispy results without added oil, typically taking 9–12 minutes for a single layer on a baking sheet; deep-frying in oil heated to 350°F offers maximum crispiness for 3–5 minutes, suitable for restaurant-style finishes. An average 3-ounce serving provides 120–160 calories, varying by cut and seasoning, with straight-cut varieties on the lower end and extra crispy or seasoned options slightly higher due to oil absorption. Positioned for both home cooks seeking easy meal accompaniments and foodservice operators requiring reliable bulk options, Ore-Ida's carry gluten-free certification across most lines and contain no artificial preservatives, relying instead on natural ingredients to maintain quality and appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Other potato-based items

Ore-Ida offers a variety of hash brown products in both shredded and patty forms, providing convenient options for breakfast preparation. The shredded hash browns feature a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, made from gluten-free potatoes suitable for scrambling in a skillet or baking in the oven. These come in sizes like 30 oz and 48 oz bags, with a typical serving of 3 oz (about 1¼ cups) containing 60 calories. The crispy hash brown patties, also gluten-free and composed of shredded potatoes, deliver a golden, crispy texture and can be cooked via skillet frying or oven baking for quick meals. Some variants, such as seasoned shredded crowns, include pre-added flavors to enhance taste without extra steps. In addition to standard hash browns, Ore-Ida produces potato wedges and Grillers as thicker, versatile alternatives for grilling or baking. The potato wedges are thick-cut with skins intact, offering a hearty texture and often seasoned for bold flavors like extra spicy varieties. These can be prepared on the grill, in the oven, or via broiler for a crispy result in about 15 minutes. Grillers consist of seasoned thick-cut potato slices infused with black pepper, herbs, and spices, designed specifically for outdoor grilling but adaptable to indoor methods like a grill pan. A variant includes sweet potato fries in crispy straight-cut or crinkle forms, providing a naturally sweet alternative while maintaining the brand's focus on frozen convenience. The Just Crack an Egg line extends Ore-Ida's potato offerings into quick breakfast kits, combining diced potatoes with add-ins such as eggs, , cheese, , , and for customizable scrambles. These microwaveable kits, like the All-American or varieties, require only cracking a fresh into the cup, stirring in the pre-portioned ingredients, and heating for about two minutes. Launched in , the line emphasizes real ingredients from Ore-Ida potatoes alongside Kraft cheeses and meats for a complete in under five minutes total preparation time. As part of Kraft Heinz's ongoing commitments, Ore-Ida sources potatoes through verified sustainable practices and focuses on reduced waste in processing to minimize environmental impact across manufacturing.

and sponsorships

Advertising and branding

Ore-Ida's branding has evolved significantly since its origins as a regional potato processor in and , transforming into a national icon under the Company by emphasizing quality, convenience, and family-oriented appeal. Early packaging focused on the brand's roots, but by the 2020s, it incorporated modern elements like bold visuals, nutritional labeling, and allergen disclosures to meet consumer demands for transparency. Central to this evolution is the consistent highlighting of products as "made from 100% real es," underscoring authenticity and premium ingredients across lines like and . A hallmark of the brand's has been its iconic , “When it says Ore-Ida, it's All Righta,” introduced in the to convey reliability and satisfaction in everyday products, particularly positioning as the quintessential family convenience item. This reinforced Ore-Ida's image as approachable and trustworthy, appearing in various promotions to build emotional connections with consumers. have served as the centerpiece of much of this branding, symbolizing innovation and comfort in frozen foods. In the 1980s, Ore-Ida launched memorable TV campaigns featuring integrated into family meals, such as breakfasts and dinners, often with humorous scenarios involving children and pets to highlight ease and joy in preparation. These ads, including spots with celebrity impressions by in 1981 and a named Einstein in 1988, aired nationally and helped solidify the brand's presence in American households. By the 2000s, shifted toward premium features with the "Extra Crispy" line, promoted through TV commercials like the 2004 spot for Golden Crinkles, which emphasized superior texture and flavor to appeal to discerning eaters seeking restaurant-quality results at home. Entering the 2020s, Ore-Ida's strategies embraced digital platforms, with social media campaigns promoting creative recipes using products like Tater Tots and fries, such as loaded totchos and hash brown casseroles shared via Instagram and TikTok. A notable 2024 partnership with Eater launched the "Fry Around the Country" initiative, inspiring home cooks with regional recipe variations to showcase versatility. Recent efforts as of 2025 include collaborations with food influencers to demonstrate innovative uses, like incorporating CrouTots as salad toppers, further engaging younger audiences through user-generated content and apps like "What’s Cooking." Amid these promotions, Ore-Ida has incorporated sustainability messaging tied to Kraft Heinz's broader commitments, highlighting eco-friendly farming practices such as with potato suppliers to reduce environmental impact and support . Initiatives emphasize ethical sourcing and waste reduction in production, aligning the brand with consumer values for responsible food choices by 2025.

Sports partnerships

Ore-Ida has engaged in several high-profile sports sponsorships to enhance brand visibility, beginning with its title sponsorship of the Ore-Ida Women's Challenge, a premier women's stage race held annually from to the early in and . The event, known for its grueling multi-stage format covering hundreds of miles through mountainous terrain, attracted top international cyclists and established itself as one of North America's most prestigious women's competitions during this period. Ore-Ida's involvement as the lead sponsor helped promote the brand's frozen potato products to a dedicated audience of enthusiasts and families in the . In the mid-2000s, Ore-Ida shifted focus to motorsports by serving as the primary sponsor for driver Brian Vickers' No. 57 Chevrolet in NASCAR's Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The sponsorship prominently featured the Extra Crispy French Fries line on the car, which competed in multiple races, including notable appearances at tracks like Daytona and Talladega. This partnership allowed Ore-Ida to tap into NASCAR's broad fanbase, emphasizing quick, family-oriented snacks that aligned with the high-energy environment of stock car racing. More recently, in March 2025, Ore-Ida entered the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals by partnering with BYU men's player Richie Saunders, the great-grandson of Ore-Ida co-founder F. Nephi Grigg. The agreement included promotional activations such as free offers at participating locations for each BYU win during the NCAA Tournament, alongside campaigns that generated significant online engagement and buzz around the brand's potato products. This deal strategically leveraged Saunders' family legacy to connect with younger, family-focused audiences through college 's national platform, while temporarily rebranding elements like packaging to "Ore-Richie" for added viral appeal. Overall, Ore-Ida's sports partnerships have consistently aimed to target family demographics by associating the brand with accessible, high-visibility athletic events that promote its frozen potato innovations.

References

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