Growers respond with generosity during COVID-19
The market distress that the COVID-19 pandemic has created for growers and ranchers has captured near-universal awareness.
Just today, my wife and I were talking to a cousin who mentioned the issue. “Why is milk being dumped and vegetables being plowed under when so many food banks could use that food?”
An Associated Press article recently chronicled the tough conditions faced by Idaho potato growers.
Headlined “Coronavirus pandemic leads to Idaho potato market distress," the story reviewed the “about-face” the once-strong potato market has experienced.
Interviewing Oakley, Idaho, farmer Ryan Cranney, the story recounted his decision to give away potatoes to anyone who would drive to his farm.
From the story:
"Cranney ultimately decided to dump about 70,000 pounds of potatoes into a pile on his farm and posted a message April 14 on Facebook: “FREE POTATOES — We started dumping potatoes today as we have no home for them because of the COVID-19 disaster. The potato supply chain has definitely been turned upside down.”
The response from the public was overwhelming, Cranney told the AP reporter, with several thousand people coming out to his farm to collect spuds over several days.
The issue of dumping produce is complicated, and The Packer’s coverage has previously addressed the dilemma with the story “Food loss issues magnified during the COVID-19 crisis" and "Shay Myers garners spotlight on food losses, COVID-19 pressures."
What happens next? We can hope the USDA’s "Buy Fresh” program for distributors can ease some of the pressure on the market and help growers move fresh produce to food banks, but even those orders will take time to have any effect.
In the meantime, Shawn Boyle, president and general counsel of the Idaho Grower Shippers Association, Inc., forwarded an e-mail that revealed growers are doing a ton to move produce to food banks even now.
Boyle was relaying words of appreciation to Idaho potato growers from the executive director of Feeding the Northwest.
Rod Wieber, executive director of Feeding the Northwest said this:
“Over the past two months, Idaho potato shippers and growers have supported Feeding the Northwest with nearly 4 million pounds of potatoes. These nutrient-rich potatoes have been sent across the country to food banks in the Feeding America food bank network. We’re extremely thankful for the support of the Idaho potato shippers who have stepped up to provide food at a time of unprecedented need. This type of generosity is not unique to these times. Every year since I have been in this position, in addition to frequent donations throughout the year, Idaho shippers have donated a truckload (approximately 40,000 pounds) of potatoes to food banks for Thanksgiving and another truckload for Christmas. Additionally, the IGSA makes a $5,000.00 donation to Feeding America every year to help where needed. Even potato packaging is regularly donated to help local food banks with food distributions."
Growers deserve much thanks, appreciation and government support during these unprecedented times. The words of Wieber certainly remind us of the generous spirit of Idaho potato growers, for this year and every year.
