This past fall, over 10 tons of potatoes were donated to the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo from potatoes stored at the USDA-ARS Research Site in East Grand Forks.

NDSU-UM Extention Potato Agronomist Andy Robinson was instrumental in organizing the program, according to Northern Plains Potato Growers Association.

In past years, these samples would have been discarded to the landfill after grading concluded, according to Darrin Haagenson, the research site’s leader. Looking ahead to 2018, Drs. Robinson and Haagenson are excited about continuing to donate to local food banks in the coming seasons.