Oregon State-WSU generates 41,500 pound potato donation

PULLMAN — The Washington State Cougars and Oregon State Beavers combined for 83 points in their PAC-12 showdown here a couple of Saturdays ago, and people down on their luck will eat better this winter because of it.

As a result of the 83 points, Washington food banks will receive 41,500 pounds of potatoes from Oregon growers. They received 35,500 pounds last year when the teams scored 71 points.

The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) and Oregon Potato Commission (OPC) use the game, known among their members as the Potato Bowl, to tackle hunger.

The commissions place a friendly wager on the outcome of the Potato Bowl. Working with Second Harvest, the commission whose team loses the game donates 500 pounds of potatoes per point to food banks in the other state.

“Last year WSU won the game, 39-32, so we had a lot of potatoes to deliver to Washington food banks, 35,500 pounds to be exact,” said Bill Brewer, Executive Director for the OPC.

“This year WSU did it again, 52-31, and we will gladly send 41,500 pounds of potatoes to Washington.” Brewer added.

Lest anyone believe this shuts Oregon out, be assured the WSPC matches the OPC donation. After all, it’s a friendly wager.

Last year, the WSPC sent nearly 16 tons of Potatoes to Oregon. This year each state is going to benefit from about 21 tons.

Since it is a friendly wager, the two commissions have gone all out to have fun at these games. They join the tailgating with a potato bar that serves up baked potatoes before the game.

“Last year, the Oregon Potato Commission invited us to Corvallis to participate in the potato bar they host outside of the stadium, serving potatoes and collecting donations for local food banks,” said Chris Voigt, Executive Director for the WSPC. “We decided to return the invite this year, and we did the same thing in Pullman on game day.”

“As we were serving up baked potatoes to fans before the game at Pullman, representatives of Second Harvest were taking donations, and they collected $638,” Ryan Holterhoff of the WSPC said.

The delivery of the 42 tons of potatoes will be made in the upcoming weeks, just in time for the holiday season. It’s one of the busiest times for food banks in our region, Holterhoff noted.

Second Harvest distributes more than two million pounds of donated food each month throughout 21 counties in eastern Washington and five counties in north Idaho. More than half of the food distributed is fresh produce, including thousands of pounds of potatoes, generously donated by local farmers.

“These produce donations help fill the nutritional gap for children, families and seniors in need, and all donations, big or small, help,” said Rod Wieber, Chief Resource Officer for Second Harvest.

“With the holidays fast approaching, the need for food assistance to those within each of our communities is far too real. Although this wager is a great way to raise awareness, much more can be done by fans of either team,” Voigt said.