Minnesota families facing hunger will have access to more than 500,000 pounds of fresh potatoes, thanks to a first-time partnership between The Farmlink Project and R.D. Offutt Farms.
“We are grateful for our partnership with RDO and food assistance programs across Minnesota for the opportunity to redirect surplus produce to families experiencing food insecurity,” said Mike Meyer, Head of Farmer Advocacy at The Farmlink Project.
The Farmlink Project connects farmers with food banks and charities, delivering millions of pounds of fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted to feed communities facing hunger. The partnership with RDO was created through an industry connection earlier this year.
Warren Warmbold, Vice President of R.D. Offutt Farms, said RDO has routinely donated potatoes from its 10 Minnesota farms to food shelves in the past, but have sometimes run into difficulties because those facilities are not always equipped to wash and prepare potatoes for the dinner table.
“We grow potatoes for processing, which means our crop is harvested and sent directly to our partner, Lamb Weston RDO Frozen, or stored in our warehouses until they are ready to be processed,” Warmbold said. “When we learned that The Farmlink Project makes donating so easy – arranging transportation from our potato storage warehouses to a fresh packing facility, then on to the food shelf – it was a no-brainer to partner with them,” Warmbold said.
Warmbold said the process has been seamless, adding, “We are really proud to support local food shelves helping local families.”
Thus far, Meyer said RDO’s potatoes have been delivered to Second Harvest Heartland and the Manna Market, which then distribute directly to families, or to other organizations. Susie Novak Boelter, Executive Director of the North Country Food Bank in East Grand Forks, said in 2023, nearly six million meals were provided in northwest and west central Minnesota.
“So far, in 2024, we are outpacing last year by at least 10 percent,” Boelter said. “This donation of potatoes is especially valuable right now - when neighbors need help more than ever. We are grateful for the local donors that assist us in this effort."
Meyer said The FarmLink Project is always looking for more opportunities to connect farmers and food shelf organizations.
“We believe no American should go hungry when there is viable surplus produce,” Meyer said.
To learn more about The Farmlink Project or to sign up as a producer or food bank partner, visit The Farmlink Project’s website at www.farmlinkproject.org.
