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{{short description|American agriculture company}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = J. R. Simplot Company
| logo = Simplot Logo.png
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1929}} in [[Declo, Idaho]]
| founder = [[J. R. Simplot]]
| location = [[Boise, Idaho]]
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list
| Garrett Lofto ([[President (corporate title)|President]] and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| [[Scott Simplot]] ([[Chairperson|Chair]])
}}
| num_employees = 11,000
| revenue = {{Increase}} {{US$|6.0 billion|link=yes}} (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/jr-simplot/|title = JR Simplot|website = [[Forbes]]}}</ref>
| homepage = {{URL|simplot.com}}
}}
The '''J. R. Simplot Company''' (commonly referred to as '''Simplot''') is an [[agribusiness]] company headquartered in [[Boise, Idaho]], [[United States]].
== History ==
Simplot was founded in 1929 by 20-year-old [[J. R. Simplot|John Richard Simplot]] near the agricultural community of [[Declo, Idaho|Declo]] in south central [[Idaho]], United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About The J.R. Simplot Company |url=https://www.simplot.com/company |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref> During the early 1940s, the business expanded, providing the military with dehydrated [[onion]]s and [[potato]]es during [[World War II]]. The firm was incorporated as the J. R. Simplot Company in 1955.
Simplot made billions from the commercialization of frozen [[French fries]] by one of its scientists, chemist Ray L. Dunlap.  By the early 1970s, it was the primary supplier of French fries to [[McDonald's]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=J. R. Simplot Company |date=19 November 2020 |url=https://www.tharawat-magazine.com/fbl/jr-simplot-company/ |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref> By 2005 it supplied more than half of all French fries for the [[fast food]] chain.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=O’Keefe|first=Eric|date=2019-09-28|title=Top 5 Farms with the Largest Acreage in the U.S.|url=https://www.agriculture.com/farm-management/farm-land/top-5-farms-with-the-largest-acreage-in-the-us|access-date=2021-01-20|magazine=Successful Farming|language=en}}</ref> Simplot also produces fertilizers for agriculture<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Brandt
| first = Richard
| title = J.R. Simplot: Still Hustling, after all these years
| journal = Business Week
| issue = 3176
| pages = 60–65
| date = 1990-09-03
| issn = 0007-7135  }}</ref> the mining of which has been a cause of recent environmental concerns.
Simplot is now one of the largest [[Private company|privately owned]] companies in the world (ranked 54th in Private Companies by ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine in 2020), ⁣<ref>{{Cite web |title=America's Largest Private Companies |url=https://www.forbes.com/largest-private-companies/list/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> with $7.6B in revenue and 13,000 employees. It has branches in [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Mexico]], [[China]], and several other regions. One of the major plants is in [[Caldwell, Idaho]].
[[File:J. R. Simplot Company "World's largest dehydrating plant".jpg|thumbnail|A view of the Simplot plant in Caldwell, Idaho, circa 1930–1945. The caption in the image states "World's Largest Dehydrating Plant."]]
J. R. Simplot retired from his role as president of his company in 1973 but remained actively involved for numerous years thereafter. He later relinquished his position as chairman of the board in 1994 and held the title of Chairman Emeritus until his passing in 2008.
== Philanthropy ==
Since its founding, J. R. Simplot Company has contributed to numerous local organizations and causes, including [[Ronald McDonald House]], [[WWF-Australia]], [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys and Girls Clubs]], [[Future Farmers of America]], St. Luke's Children's Hospital, and the [[Special Olympics]]. Much of the company's philanthropic efforts are directed by employees serving on the company's volunteer service committee. The Simplot Company has donated thousands of pounds of potatoes to the Idaho Foodbank and the Boise Rescue Mission. They have also provided monetary support for the arts throughout Idaho including Ballet Idaho, Opera Idaho, and the Boise Philharmonic.<ref name="idahobusinessreview.com">{{cite web|url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2011/01/13/jr-simplot-co-makes-mark-with-%E2%80%98impactful-philanthropy%E2%80%99/ |title=Simplot Make Mark With Impactful Philanthropy}}</ref>
In 2009, Simplot Company was awarded the Spirit of Treasure Valley award by the [[United Way of America|United Way]] of Treasure Valley.<ref name="idahobusinessreview.com"/>
== Environmental record ==
In February 2002, Simplot agreed to buy equipment and pay penalties related to an unreported release of 80,000 pounds of [[sulfur dioxide|sulphur dioxide]] from a facility in [[Pocatello, Idaho]]. The company violated the [[Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act]] by failing to immediately notify the Power and Bannock Counties' Local Emergency Planning Committees or the State Emergency Response Commission of the release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d96f984dfb3ff7718525735900400c29/6d1ba142882c2610852570cb0075e206!OpenDocument|title=Simplot Settles Emergency Notification Case|author=Bill Dunbar|date=2002-02-20|publisher=[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]}}</ref>
In February 2004, J.R. Simplot Company agreed to pay the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] $525,000 and install $2 million in air pollution control equipment to resolve violations of the federal [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]] at its silica sand mining facility in [[Overton, Nevada]]. The violation occurred in 1988 when the company removed equipment required by the federal Clean Air Act to control emissions of air pollutants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/89745a330d4ef8b9852572a000651fe1/feaa6ef394485d4d852570d8005e15fc!OpenDocument|title=J.R. Simplot agrees to pay EPA $525,000 to resolve Clean Air Act violations|author=Laura Gentile|date=2004-02-12|publisher=[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]}}</ref>
In early 2012, Simplot submitted a report to the Environmental Protection Agency to explain its view regarding how and why pollution limits could be eased in phosphate mine areas, and linking to livestock die-offs of sheep and cattle in other areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/06/17/2158158/understanding-simplots-mutant.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125190953/http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/06/17/2158158/understanding-simplots-mutant.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-25|title=Understanding Simplots Mutant Fish}}</ref>
Simplot is one of six major companies to join the [[Obama Administration]] in an effort to significantly reduce energy use over the next 10 years. The company has received awards including the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining's [[Earth Day]] award for the environmental work completed in Nevada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54169071-79/awards-canyon-natural-pipeline.html.csp|title=Five companies receive state Earth Day awards}}</ref>
In June 2012, Simplot partnered with two conservation groups and three [[phosphate mining]] companies in an effort to improve the water quality of the [[Blackfoot River (Idaho)|Blackfoot River]] in [[Eastern Idaho]]. The parties are: J.R. Simplot Company, [[Monsanto]] and [[Agrium]]/Nu-West Industries, the [[Idaho Conservation League]] and [[Trout Unlimited]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idahopress.com/news/state/miners-conservationists-join-to-save-river-trout/article_91b8db11-46b7-5ad5-8e9b-fad1dbf2fcea.html|title=Miners, conservationists join to save river, trout|date=17 June 2012 }}</ref>
More recently, Simplot settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice resolving alleged Clean Air Act violations related to modifications made at Simplot's five [[sulfuric acid]] plants near Lathrop, Calif., Pocatello, Idaho and Rock Springs, Wyo. Under the settlement, Simplot was required to spend an estimated $42 million to install, upgrade and operate pollution controls that significantly cut sulfur dioxide emissions at all five plants, fund a wood stove replacement project in the area surrounding the Lathrop plant, and pay an amount of $899,000 as civil penalty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OECA |date=2016-04-20 |title=Reference News Release: J.R. Simplot Company to Reduce Emissions at Sulfuric Acid Plants in Three States |url=https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/reference-news-release-jr-simplot-company-reduce-emissions-sulfuric-acid-plants-three |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> The company settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice resolving Simplot's liability for alleged violations at the Rock Springs, Wyoming facility under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), including failure to determine if a solid waste is a [[hazardous waste]] (40 C.F.R. § 262.11); treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste in the phosphogypsum (gypsum) stack without a permit or interim status (42 U.S.C. § 6925(a) and 40 C.F.R. Parts 264/265 and 270); failure to perform land disposal determinations and to meet land disposal restrictions for hazardous wastes (40 C.F.R. Part 268); and failure to submit complete Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) annual toxic release reports (42 U.S.C. § 11023 and the implementing regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 372).  Simplot agree to pay a civil penalty of $775,000 to resolve the alleged past violations of RCRA and EPCRA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OECA |date=2020-07-09 |title=Simplot Settlement Information Sheet |url=https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/simplot-settlement-information-sheet |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, Simplot agreed to pay a $65,248 penalty for violations of federal pesticide handling and storage requirements at its storage and retail facilities in Umatilla, Oregon and Moreland, Idaho.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OA |date=2021-07-22 |title=Simplot pays $65K EPA penalty for pesticides violations |url=https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/simplot-pays-65k-epa-penalty-pesticides-violations |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref>
==Genetically modified potatoes==
Simplot developed the genetically modified Innate potato, which was approved by the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] in 2014<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tracy|first1=Tennille|title=Genetically Modified Potato Wins Approval From USDA|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/usda-approves-a-genetically-modified-potato-1415398524|work=Wall Street Journal|date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> and the [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Introducing Innate™ Technology|url=http://www.simplotplantsciences.com|website=simplotplantsciences.com|publisher=J. R. Simplot Company.|accessdate=22 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=J.R. Simplot Company Petition (13-022-01p) for Determination of Non-Regulated Status for InnateTM Potatoes with Low Acrylamide Potential and Reduced Black Spot Bruise: Events E12 and E24 (Russet Burbank); F10 and F37 (Ranger Russet); J3, J55, and J78 (Atlantic); G11 (G); H37 and H50 (H)|url=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/13_02201p_dea.pdf|website=aphis.usda.gov|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FDA concludes Arctic Apples and Innate Potatoes are safe for consumption|url=https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm439121.htm|website=fda.gov|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=March 20, 2015}}</ref>  It is designed to resist [[List of potato diseases|blackspot bruising]], [[browning (food process)|browning]] and to contain less of the [[amino acid]] [[asparagine]].
Asparagine can become [[acrylamide]] during the frying of potatoes and is a probable human [[carcinogen]], so reduced levels of it are desirable.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite web|last1=Pollack|first1=Andrew|title=U.S.D.A. Approves Modified Potato. Next Up: French Fry Fans|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/business/genetically-modified-potato-from-simplot-approved-by-usda.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=7 Nov 2014}}</ref><ref name=Guardian1>{{cite web|last1=Glenza|first1=Jessica|title='Innate Potato' heads for market but GM watchdogs chip away at Simplot success|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/nov/08/innate-potato-simplot-gm-watchdogs|website=theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=8 Nov 2014}}</ref> The 'Innate' name comes from the fact that this variety does not contain any genetic material from other species (the genes used are “[[Wiktionary:innate|innate]]” to potatoes).  [[RNA interference]] is used to “switch off” genes in this case. Simplot hopes that not including genes from other species will assuage consumer fears about biotechnology.<ref name="New York Times"/>
The “Innate” potato is not a single cultivar, rather, it is a group of potato varieties that have had the same genetic alterations applied using the same process. Five different potato varieties have been transformed, thus creating "innate" versions with all of the original traits plus the engineered ones. Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank, and Atlantic potatoes have all been transformed by Simplot, as well as two proprietary varieties. Modifications of each variety involved two transformations, one for each of the two new traits.<ref name=Biofortified>{{cite web|last1=von Mogel|first1=Karl Haro|title=Q&A with Haven Baker on Simplot's Innate™ Potatoes|url=http://www.biofortified.org/2013/05/qa-with-haven-baker-innate-potatoes/|website=biofortified.org|publisher=Biology Fortified, Inc.|accessdate=10 May 2015|date=8 May 2013}}</ref>
[[Food and Water Watch]] successfully petitioned [[McDonald's]] to reject Innate potatoes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Charles|first1=Dan|title=GMO Potatoes Have Arrived. But Will Anyone Buy Them?|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/01/13/376184710/gmo-potatoes-have-arrived-but-will-anyone-buy-them|website=npr.org|publisher=[[NPR]]|accessdate=5 May 2015|date=13 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Gunther|first1=Marc|title=McDonald's GMO dilemma: why fries are causing such a fuss|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/mcdonalds-fries-innate-potato-genetically-modified-food|website=theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=4 December 2013}}</ref>
== Brands ==
[[File:Edgell Nourish Bowl.jpg|thumb|An Edgell "Nourish Bowl"]]
* Edgell (frozen vegetables)
* Leggo's (Italian dishes)
* Ally (salmon)
* Seakist (tuna)
* [[John West Foods|John West - Australia]] (tuna and salmon)
* Harvest (heat and eat)
* [[Chiko Roll]]s
* I&J (frozen meats)
* Best Products (fertilizer)
* Apex Products (fertilizer)
* GAL-XeONE (controlled-release fertilizer)
* Jacklin Seed (grass seed)
* [[Bird's Eye#Australia and New Zealand|Bird's Eye - Australia and New Zealand]] (frozen fish, vegetables, potatoes, and meals)
* Innate (potatoes)
* [[Chicken Tonight]] (Australia and New Zealand)
* [[Raguletto]] (Australia and New Zealand)
== See also ==
* [[List of companies based in Idaho]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{official website|http://www.simplot.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Agriculture companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Idaho]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in Idaho]]
[[Category:Companies based in Idaho]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1929]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in Idaho]]
[[Category:Food and drink in Idaho]]
[[Category:Idaho culture]]