Super Bowl XLVIII pays off for hungry
CPAC Executive Director Jim Ehrlich shows off a truckload of Colorado potatoes as they arrive at the Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver on March 26. (Photo courtesy of CPAC)
The bet, suggested by Chris Voigt, executive director of the WSPC, was for 500 pounds of potatoes per point scored by both teams combined to be donated to food banks in each team’s state. CPAC Executive Director Jim Ehrlich accepted the challenge, and grower/shippers in each state provided the “loot.”
“Both sides had agreed to support food banks in their areas regardless of the outcome, which really shows the generosity of the industry,” Ehrlich said.
CPAC’s payoff was fulfilled on March 26, following a celebration of Colorado Ag Day at the state capitol in Denver. Ehrlich and CPAC representatives Monty Smith, Roger Christensen, Miguel Diaz, Dave Warsh, Bob Mattive, Gail Mattive and Byron Kunugi were on hand when a 44,000-pound load of spuds was delivered to distribution centre of Food Bank of the Rockies. Accepting the donation was Kevin Seggelke, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies, who also spoke at the earlier Ag Day festivities. WSPC also donated spuds to a food bank in Seattle.
Flanking Kevin Seggelke, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies, are Colorado Potato Administrative Committee members Monty Smith, Roger Christensen, Miguel Diaz, Executive Director Jim Ehrlich, Dave Warsh, Bob Mattive, Gail Mattive and Byron Kunugi. (Photo courtesy of CPAC)
Research has shown that one medium sized potato, eaten with the skin on contains just 110 calories but supplies nearly half the Daily Value for vitamin C. The spud is also one of the best sources of potassium and fibre in the produce section.
Providing spuds for the Super Bowl bet were Mountain Valley Produce, Farm Fresh Direct, Monte Vista Potato Growers, MountainKing, Maverick Potatoes, Aspen Produce and Worley & McCullough, all San Luis Valley potato operations.
Ehrlich was quick to point out that CPAC shippers “are donating to food banks throughout the year, not just on a single occasion.”
Seggelke noted that the largesse of Colorado’s agriculture community has helped significantly in meeting the needs of the hungry. He said that Feeding Colorado is “dedicated to nourishing communities throughout Colorado by distributing food through our direct service programs and partner agencies.”
For more information:
Linda Weyers
Colorado Potato Aministrative Committee
Tel: +1 719-852-3322
Email: lweyers@coloradopotato.org
www.coloradopotato.org