Washington Potato Growers are “On the Road to a Million Pounds of Potatoes” with plans to host their largest potato giveaway to date this Thursday, May 14.
Approximately 200,000 pounds of potatoes will be available for giveaway in the Tacoma Dome parking lots. Local volunteers from the Emergency Food Network will help with logistics and load the potatoes directly into vehicles, reports The Suburban Times.
“With so many restaurants closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, our potato farmers have storages full of these potatoes that were scheduled to be turned into french fries, tater tots, hash browns and many other frozen potato products,” a group of Washington state potato farmers said in a press release Monday.
“Our farmers and their families recognize that they are not the only ones suffering financially, and they have the potatoes in their storage sheds that can feed so many.”
More than 320,000 pounds of potatoes have been distributed so far.
Food banks can also make arrangements with the Potato Commission to pick up a pallet for their local locations by calling 509-765-8845 or emailing [email protected]. All potatoes will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
Sources: The Suburban Times and Associated Press
