Donated Spuds Part II

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation members started distributing 1,100 50-pound bags of potatoes to food banks across North Idaho this week. 

County Farm Bureau organizations from throughout North Idaho pitched in to come up with the money to purchase the potatoes from East Idaho. Producers are suffering through an almost complete shutdown in purchases of potatoes and potato products for restaurants and other foodservice channels due to reaction to the coronavirus outbreak has caused some pain for potato growers and processors, who suddenly have a lot more supply than demand. 

“We wanted to help out the potato industry, which has been impacted by the outbreak and has a glut of potatoes, while at the same time help supply food banks with an important product,” said Bob Smathers, an IFBF regional manager in North Idaho who is coordinating the project.