Ore-Ida

Ore-Ida is an American brand of potato-based frozen foods currently produced and distributed by the H. J. Heinz Company (now part of Kraft Heinz). Ore-Ida's primary production facility is located in Ontario, Oregon, and the company employs over 1,000 local residents. Ore-Ida is generally considered a leading potato brand in the American market, consistently accounting for a large amount of processed potatoes sold.

History

In 1934, Mormon entrepreneurs F. 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. In 1949, the brothers rented a frozen food plant located in Ontario, Oregon near the border of the state of Idaho, and converted it into potato-processing facility. They purchased the facility around 1952 after the plant went into foreclosure. The company was officially founded that year as the Oregon Frozen Foods Company.

The company initially produced and sold frozen corn and French fries. In 1953, Nephi and his brother Golden developed Tater Tots, bite-sized "logs" formed from spiced slivers of potatoes, which were leftovers from French fry production. Tater Tots are today considered the brand's most well known product.