The vigorous sound of machines returned Monday to a potato processing plant of the Hollandale Marketing Association, nearly three months after a devastating fire.

Tuesday, January 15, 2002

The vigorous sound of machines returned Monday to a potato processing plant of the Hollandale Marketing Association, nearly three months after a devastating fire.

The fire, which started before dawn on Oct. 25, burned down an 18,000 square-foot potato warehouse. The loss of 500,000 pounds of just-harvested potatoes created relatively minor damage to the farmer cooperative. But because the fire destroyed some equipment in an adjacent processing plant, it was impossible to continue the operation.

The association processed about 9 million pounds of potatoes and 4.5 million pounds of onions from six local member farms annually.

While General Manager Larry Forster kept himself busy putting insurance proceedings together, the association shipped out some of the stored potatoes to a neighboring plant in Maple Island to maintain the supply for customers.

The cooperative maintained its 25 workers throughout the three-month period by increasing the workload in the cooperative’s onion processing plant standing behind the destoyed warehouse.

According to Forster the longer storage time may influence the product price because of shrinkage and a minor color change to the potatoes. But the market price of potatoes this year is about 50 percent higher than usual, which would make up the disadvantage.

&uot;Overall, I am satisfied with the turnout. And I am extremely happy to be back in business,&uot; Forster said.

A new conveyer that carries potatoes into a washing machine was installed. The potatoes come to the conveyer from a warehouse that survived the fire across the street through an underground water path.

The destroyed warehouse was more convenient because it was connected with the plant, according to Forster. The association is considering rebuilding the structure after the harvest season this year.

The fire created a huge impact on the community of 292 residents. Mayor Ted Radke had been leading the support for the association and its employees.

&uot;I believed that something good would be rising up from the ash. And it seems it did,&uot; Radke said.