AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Potato Handout Event Aims to Fight Food Waste
On Monday, the Denver-based food nonprofit We Don’t Waste hosted a two-hour event dedicated to distributing thousands of pounds of potatoes that were previously set to be discarded in a landfill. The event is the organization's second large-scale potato handout of the year, following a similar event in July.
From Landfill to Community Tables
All of the potatoes distributed at the event originated from Texas and were initially intended to be sent to a landfill due to cosmetic imperfections. Thanks to We Don’t Waste, these potatoes were recovered and brought to the group’s warehouse for community distribution. Caroline Hissong, a representative from We Don’t Waste, emphasized the significance of rescuing the produce, stating, “If we hadn’t recovered them, it would have been in a landfill. After all the water, labor and time that goes into growing these products and food.”
Large-Scale Distribution and Local Impact
The recent event saw 80,000 pounds of three different varieties of potatoes handed out to anyone in need. Hundreds of people attended the event, loading up bags, boxes, crates, trailers, and truck beds. Larry Folkner, an attendee, transported a large quantity with the goal of sharing with neighbors in Aurora, about forty minutes away. He noted, “I just don’t want to see it go to waste,” and expressed the importance of resourcefulness, recalling his upbringing and creative uses for potatoes in home-cooked meals.
Potatopalooza Offers Relief Amid Rising Costs
Organizers highlighted the timing of the "Potatopalooza" event, noting that it provided local families an opportunity to save on groceries as food and gas prices rise, and with additional expenses around winter heating and the upcoming holiday season. The potatoes, available for free, offered a way for families to stock up on a Thanksgiving staple without cost.
Potato Storage Advice and Further Donations
During the event, Hissong shared notable storage tips, advising that potatoes store well in cool, dark places and can last up to six months when frozen. She explained there were no safety concerns with the potatoes—they simply had cosmetic flaws that prevented them from being sold in traditional retail settings. Any potatoes not claimed during the event will be donated to other nonprofits. Hissong stated that We Don’t Waste plans to host similar events throughout the year.
Community Engagement and Online Sharing
Folkner leveraged social platforms such as the Nextdoor app to connect with nearby families who could benefit from the surplus potatoes he transported. He received dozens of messages and hoped his actions would aid as many as fifty to one hundred families in his area.
Source: kdvr.com.
