Isaiah Hofer’s farm in Manitoba produced a record-breaking bumper crop, resulting in an unprecedented surplus of 12 million pounds of potatoes. After meeting his regular delivery commitments, Hofer faced a dilemma with the excess potatoes. The options were bleak: allowing them to rot, converting them to animal feed, or selling them at a minimal profit. However, inspired by a letter from the Keystone Potato Producers Association and the Farmlink Project—a US food charity that connects surplus farm produce with food banks—Hofer decided to donate the surplus to those in need. With the help of fellow farmers, Hofer offered Farmlink 12 million pounds of potatoes for distribution.
The logistical challenge of distributing such a massive quantity of potatoes was immense, requiring a coordinated effort from multiple organizations. Teaming up with Kate Nelson, co-founder of Farmlink, and Wendy Leung of Foodsharing Ottawa, they set a plan in motion. Leung and her team had to upgrade their usual tools to handle the large volume, utilizing forklifts, climate-controlled facilities, and semi-trucks. The collaborative effort, costing around CAD$30,000, successfully saw 115 trucks filled with potatoes heading to food banks and charities as far away as San Diego. The impact was significant, with over 50 local organizations benefiting from the donation, helping countless individuals and households in need. This initiative mirrored past efforts during the pandemic, where volunteers coordinated the rescue and distribution of surplus food to prevent waste and support food banks across North America.
