November 27, 2012
Hurricane Sandy victims have a healthy meal coming their way thanks to the Wisconsin potato industry. Four growers and one shipping company have donated a total of 80,000 pounds of potatoes to those on the East Coast who still have limited and non-existent resources. Two semi-trucks have left Wisconsin, each holding 20 pallets of potatoes that weigh about 2,000 pounds and carry a market value of $40,000.
After leaving Wisconsin, the trucks will travel to a warehouse called City Harvest in Long Island City, NY. From there, volunteers from the food rescue organization will give out the potatoes to many who are still without power and need help.
Since Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast Oct. 29, City Harvest has donated more than 3 million pounds of food to about 600 soup kitchens, food pantries and churches, and it continues to help people in the hardest-hit areas, including Staten Island.
John Hein of Sowinski Farms in Rhinelander, WI, came up with the donation idea. In a press release, he said that he hopes these potatoes provide several meals to those who are working hard to return to “normalcy.”
“Someday our area may need the same kind of assistance so it’s nice to be able to help,” Mr. Hein said in the release.
Freight costs have been covered by monetary donations from four Wisconsin-based groups: Ansay Associates in Neenah, WI; Grace Fellowship in Bryant, WI; the Wisconsin Potato Vegetable Growers Association in Antigo, WI; and Sowinski Trucking LLC in Rhinelander. Sowinski Trucking is also providing the trucks and drivers.
On Monday, Nov. 26, one truck was scheduled to pick up the donated pallets of potatoes at three farm locations: Igl Farms in Antigo; Okray Family Farms in Plover, WI; and Coloma Farms in Coloma, WI. The second truck was scheduled to stop directly at RPE in Bancroft, WI, for the second load.
Both trucks will be in New York by the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 28.
This donation is an effort the WPVGA has been pleased to coordinate since learning of everyone’s desire to help.
“It’s been wonderful to see so many people in the potato industry working together for an important and common purpose in such a short amount of time,” Dana Rady, WPVGA’s director of promotion, communication and consumer Education, said in the press release. “It’s also nice to know that those who need the help will have some extra warmth as the holidays approach.”
The potato industry professionals have always been good with support during difficult times, according to Duane Maatz, WPVGA executive director.
“Wisconsin farmers have a history of being very generous,” Mr. Maatz said in the release. “This is another example of the good will Wisconsinites personify. The WPVGA is very proud to be assisting in this project.”
