Argentina: McCain Foods and Arcos Dorados, working together towards Regenerative Agriculture
McCain Foods, in a strategic alliance with Arcos Dorados, announces the results of its first Regenerative Agriculture Challenge, aimed at potato producers in the country.
Through a collaborative effort to promote long-term environmental resilience, McCain Foods and Arcos Dorados launched the inaugural Regenerative Agriculture Challenge . This is a unique project driven by a shared vision of sustainable agriculture.
The challenge began in July 2024 with the first training for producers and the addition of Carbon Group (an international consulting firm based in the Southern Cone specializing in GHG inventories and carbon stocks) as an academic auditor. Between October and February 2025, data were collected and field visits were conducted with participating producers. Preliminary results were then evaluated, and a second training session for producers was held.
“At McCain, regenerative agriculture is at the heart of building a resilient food system and ensuring the future of potato chips for generations to come. We are proud to have worked and evolved alongside Arcos Dorados for 30 years, advancing regenerative agriculture solutions in Argentina, and this journey is just beginning, ” said Micaela Uberti , Sustainability Manager for McCain Latin America.
For his part, Fernando Arango, Corporate Communications Manager for Arcos Dorados Argentina, said: “ In McCain, we found a strategic partner that supports our growth and allows us to bring that commitment back to its origin—from farm to table. We share guiding principles that guide our work and enrich us. Knowing that we care for the soil, the environment, and the communities where we operate reinforces our commitment to quality and transparency, which our consumers value.”
The challenge focused on ten key indicators used to assess the environmental, agronomic, and social impact of each proposal. These indicators were based on McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework, a roadmap to guide producers in their transition to a more regenerative model.
The seven participating agricultural companies were: Agropecuaria La Gándara, Hernando López, Huiñay, La Tradición Agrícola, Maipue, Papas Argentinas and Potato Growers .
The contest ran from March to May of this year, the final data was processed, and the winners were determined in June. They were announced at McCain’s iconic End of Season Celebration, held in August in Mar del Plata.
The winners, selected for having achieved the highest number of indicators, were: 1-Potato Growers, 2-La Gándara and 3- Huiñay.
Leandro Antón , a producer from La Gándara , stated that regenerative agriculture “ is the starting point for making the idea of leaving things better than we found them a reality—doing what we know needs to be done, without sacrificing production or quality.”
Gastón Viani , a producer at Potato Growers, commented: “ These practices, such as crop diversity or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, allow us to stabilize the system, returning the soil to the characteristics it had at the beginning of our activities, so that over time we can regain the quality we need.”
As part of the competition’s conclusions, McCain Foods and Arcos Dorados highlighted the environmental commitment and dedication of all participants. They emphasized that the methodology applied provides a solid framework for evaluating, auditing, measuring, and recognizing producers who implement regenerative practices.
“ Regenerative agriculture is here to stay, and it’s already a reality for McCain and our strategic alliances. Our goal is to expand producer participation, increase the implementation of regenerative practices, and deepen our partnership with Arcos Dorados, demonstrating McCain’s leadership and commitment to sustainability ,” added Romina Varela , Director of Agriculture for McCain Argentina , who announced that the second edition of the competition will take place in 2026.
The competition demonstrated the enthusiasm, commitment, and potential for engagement among local potato producers, validating the impact and scalability of regenerative agriculture practices. Beyond the numbers, the greatest achievement was fostering a shift in mindset among producers, who are working to ensure a potato supply for future generations.
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About McCain
McCain is one of the world’s leaders in the frozen food market, and its products can be found in thousands of restaurants and homes in more than 160 countries around the world. Focused on potato production, McCain has been present in Argentina for 30 years, where it carries out significant work in planting and harvesting, as well as research and development. It is certified as a B Corporation.
It directly employs more than 800 people and also generates 3,000 indirect jobs. McCain leads the market in Argentina, accounting for two-thirds of total consumption.
For more information about the company, visit the website: www.mccain.com.ar
Follow McCain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccainargentina
About Golden Arches
Arcos Dorados is the world’s largest independent McDonald’s franchisee and the largest quick-service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company has the exclusive right to own, operate, and franchise McDonald’s locations in 21 countries and territories in those regions and has more than 2,400 restaurants, including its own and franchised units, which together employ more than 100,000 people (as of July 15, 2025). The company is also committed to developing the communities in which it operates, providing young people with their first formal employment opportunity, and utilizing its Recipe for the Future to achieve a positive environmental impact. It is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ARCO). For more information about the Company, please visit our website: www.arcosdorados.com
Press contacts
McCain
Paula Vazquez
+54 9 11 5015-8580
Golden Arches
Edelman
Fuente: McCain
