A vast stockpile of potatoes is being given away for free in Germany, after a farm in Saxony benefited from a bumper harvest. Thousands of tasty tubers have been rolling into the country's capital, Berlin, since mid-January, with residents risking icy streets to bag their share.
Dubbed the great potato rescue, this initiative is part of a plan to stop about 4 million kg (8.8 million lb) of surplus spuds from going to waste. Food banks, schools, and churches are among the beneficiaries according to organizers. However, the program has faced criticism and was labeled a disgusting PR stunt by the Brandenburg Farmers' Association, which expressed concerns over the impact on local markets.
Germany is known for being the European Union's potato-producing capital, and last year's harvest has left the market saturated.
Ultimately, this venture aims to highlight the potato as a valuable food item, according to Berliner Morgenpost editor Peter Schink, who helped spearhead the plan in collaboration with eco-friendly search engine Ecosia.
Osterland Agrar, the agricultural firm responsible for the surplus potatoes, plans to distribute around 500,000kg to Berlin, as well as other areas in Germany and Ukraine. Managing Director Hans-Joachim von Massow noted that they can store the potatoes until mid-year.
Yet not all are in favor of the initiative. Timo Scheib from the Brandenburg Farmers' Association remarked, Food is and will remain valuable, even if thoughtless do-gooders throw around free potatoes at schools and churches.
A special website has been launched listing 174 distribution points in and around Berlin, although early reports indicate mixed success in gathering the free potatoes. As the potato initiative receives media coverage both locally and internationally, it shines a spotlight on the culinary love Germany has for this versatile ingredient, despite concerns about the sustainability and implications of distributing surplus food.
Dubbed the great potato rescue, this initiative is part of a plan to stop about 4 million kg (8.8 million lb) of surplus spuds from going to waste. Food banks, schools, and churches are among the beneficiaries according to organizers. However, the program has faced criticism and was labeled a disgusting PR stunt by the Brandenburg Farmers' Association, which expressed concerns over the impact on local markets.
Germany is known for being the European Union's potato-producing capital, and last year's harvest has left the market saturated.
Ultimately, this venture aims to highlight the potato as a valuable food item, according to Berliner Morgenpost editor Peter Schink, who helped spearhead the plan in collaboration with eco-friendly search engine Ecosia.
Osterland Agrar, the agricultural firm responsible for the surplus potatoes, plans to distribute around 500,000kg to Berlin, as well as other areas in Germany and Ukraine. Managing Director Hans-Joachim von Massow noted that they can store the potatoes until mid-year.
Yet not all are in favor of the initiative. Timo Scheib from the Brandenburg Farmers' Association remarked, Food is and will remain valuable, even if thoughtless do-gooders throw around free potatoes at schools and churches.
A special website has been launched listing 174 distribution points in and around Berlin, although early reports indicate mixed success in gathering the free potatoes. As the potato initiative receives media coverage both locally and internationally, it shines a spotlight on the culinary love Germany has for this versatile ingredient, despite concerns about the sustainability and implications of distributing surplus food.
