In spite of how busy spring is for Washington potato growers, they have also been making time to give back to their communities; so far this year, growers have been working together to benefit causes such as cancer research and fighting hunger.
During the annual Washington-Oregon Potato Conference in January, attendees could sign up and attend a special luncheon to celebrate women involved in the industry. This year, along with the traditional luncheon, the group made a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation. The Stahl Hutterian Colony of Stanfield, Ore., hosted nearly 50 attendees at the luncheon. In lieu of any payment for hosting the lunch, the Stahl family asked that all proceeds from the program be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation. A total of $3,740 was donated to the organization on behalf of the family.
The giving continued at the annual All Ag Day held in Olympia, Wash. Thanks to Washington’s potato growers, the event proved to once again be a great win for one local food bank. The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) invited all state legislators to visit its booth during the state’s second annual Ag Day. Those state senators and representatives who visited the WSPC booth were entered into a draw to win 2,500 pounds of fresh potatoes for a food bank or charity of their choice.
Rep. Steve Thranger won the drawing and elected to donate the potatoes to Coastal Harvest in Hoquiam, Wash. Coastal Harvest is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to some 50 agencies that serve those in need across southwestern Washington.
Lastly, in honor of Potato Lover’s Month, the WSPC looked to partner with schools around the Puget Sound to give one classroom a chance to win a cooking school experience using potatoes while also being able to give back to local shelters and children in need. The students in the winning class will use potatoes during their class and have a friendly potato cook-off. All of the food the students prepare will be donated to community organizations that help those in need. The winning class was Ms. Ventura’s fifth-grade class in Seattle. They will be having their special day working with potatoes and providing meals to local charities on June 10.
Source: potatogrower.com
