Lingle rounds up 12,000 pounds of spuds

TORRINGTON (WNE) — The Food Bank of Wyoming recently added nearly 12,000 pounds of potatoes to its stockpile.

The donation came from the University of Wyoming’s James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle during its fourth annual potato harvest.

“The potato harvest, made possible through a partnership between SAREC, the Food Bank of Wyoming, and UW Extension’s Cent$ible Nutrition Program, is part of ongoing efforts to address food security in Wyoming,” according to a university release.

“We had another successful year at the SAREC potato harvest,” Mindy Meuli, director of CNP said. “We filled the Food Bank of Wyoming truck with potatoes for statewide distribution through local food pantries.”

Many volunteers came to help sack the potatoes: SAREC staff members, women from Wyoming Women’s Center; CNP and UW Extension employees; undergraduate students from UW’s family and consumer sciences department; 4-H families; community members; and Food Bank of Wyoming staff members.

“I would just like to thank the volunteers who came to help. Without volunteers, these potatoes don't get bagged,” said Brian Lee, a research scientist at SAREC who is instrumental in coordinating all aspects of the potato project.

The potatoes are grown at the center, and the harvest will be transported by the Food Bank of Wyoming to food pantries in Wyoming.

“They are available at no cost to hunger relief organizations partnering with Food Bank of Wyoming,” said the university release. “CNP is working with local food pantries to connect patrons to recipes and resources for using and storing potatoes safely.”

This story was published on November 13, 2024.