TORONTO — McCain Foods announced it is investing $55 million for a minority stake in Strong Roots, a plant-based frozen food company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 2015, Strong Roots offers cauliflower hash browns, mixed root vegetable fries, bites and burgers.

As part of the partnership, Strong Roots will continue to operate independently but will leverage McCain Foods' global presence to expand its footprint in existing markets, including Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and to enter new markets working with new retailers. The partnership also will allow Strong Roots to expand into the foodservice market through McCain Foods' out-of-home network.

For McCain Foods, the partnership will provide an expanded product portfolio that reaches out to the rising number of consumers looking for healthy, natural and simple meals that include fruits and vegetables. The partnership also bolsters McCain Foods' commitment to planet-friendly foods.

“As food producers, our role is to be better, food can be better, and our duty is to lead the betterment of ingredients, sourcing, packaging, process and taste, at the same time as working with our partners to achieve this,” said Samuel Dennigan, founder and chief executive officer of Strong Roots. “Working in partnership with McCain Foods means that we are able to grow our brand and the values it stands for, while providing us at Strong Roots with the resources and capabilities we need to see change through globally and impactfully."

Max Koeune, president and CEO of McCain Foods, added, “Since the McCain family founded McCain Foods in 1957, our entrepreneurial roots and passionate focus on creating the best tasting food has led to us being at the center of mealtimes for generations.