Vegetable growers in Hawke's Bay say a $19 million upgrade to the McCain Foods plant in Hastings gives them the first opportunity in more than 20 years to grow beans for processing.
Prime Minister John Key has opened the new plant, which can process more than 50,000 tonnes of vegetables a year and provide 70 new seasonal jobs.
Lester Gray, who farms near Waipawa, was one of the first to sign a contract to grow beans, which he says have the potential to substantially boost farmers' incomes.
