Florenceville is home to fewer than a thousand people, but this quiet rural community is associated with one of the most universal phrases in the fast food industry, recognized in a variety of languages around the world: “Will that be fries with your order…?”
This unpretentious village, tucked away among rolling farmland in Carleton County, on the eastern shore of the St. John River, bears the unusual title of “French Fry Capital of the World.” That is no idle boast! Florenceville is the home of McCain Foods, which operates in more than 110 countries. The homegrown New Brunswick company was founded in 1957 by the local McCain family, and today produces over one-third of the world’s entire supply of frozen fries.
For decades, the McCains have been staunch supporters of village life. The family is remembered at the Andrew and Laura McCain Gallery, a combined library and gallery which showcases the work of artists from around the region as well as from across Canada.
The New Brunswick Potato Museum/Potato World, next door to the McCain Technology Centre where the company conducts research, is New Brunswick’s only potato museum, devoted to the history of the growing and harvesting of the humble spud. Potato World is fun for the whole family, with education video theatre, antique machinery and a potato-variety garden. Be sure to enjoy some of our favourite potato recipes at the Harvest Café.
Another unusual attraction is the maze at Hunter Brothers’ Farm Market. Each summer, they plant their field of corn with different designs, creating a puzzle for visitors and locals alike.
On the banks of the St. John River, you’ll find benches where you can tuck into an alfresco picnic, soothed by the murmuring of the water and the sweet scents of summer.
For more information, call 506-392-5249 or visit www.florencevillebristol.ca.