This mountain of 120 tons of potatoes is being given away: everyone can get some

Vlamertinge (Belgium) – It’s a huge mountain of food. It consists of 120 tons of potatoes. And everyone has to go. That’s why they’re being given away now. Anyone can pick one up. Free! The reason is a harvest that is too abundant.

Because farmers in Belgium have produced too many potatoes, the warehouses are full, with a total of almost five million tons. The harvest was bigger than ever. Even on the “Torenhof” farm in Vlamertinge near Ypres in Belgium, nothing fits in the warehouse anymore. This is how the idea for the big giveaway campaign came about.

Farmer Read (43) to BILD: “We told the children that we had too many potatoes have. We would have to destroy them or give them away. But we don’t have time for that.”

All potatoes are free

That’s when Noor (15), Lotte (13) and Tom (8) came up with the idea: They give the potatoes away and even create flyers about it. The free campaign will run until April 18th. Only a ton is already gone. Read about BILD: “Whatever isn’t picked up will be plowed under.” Other farmers also bring potatoes to biogas plants. They were too good for the children for that. The trio told the Belgian news portal “VRT NWS”: “Everyone is welcome to join for free to take some with you.” Around 20 people came on the first day.

The mother told BILD: “Some took a few kilograms of potatoes with them. One even took more than 100 kilograms. I don’t know what he does with them.” The siblings plan to use their entire Easter holidays for the campaign.

Of course they hope Kinder sometimes for a reward. If a few donations were raised, sisters Lotte and Noor would buy their little brother Tom a new mountain bike. This is what the boy dreams of.

Surplus is gigantic

According to “Focus”, farmers in Belgium have a surplus of around 860,000 tonnes of potatoes, which is almost unsaleable. Large industrial companies for frozen fries have already replenished their stocks in their warehouses. Prices are falling where potatoes are usually stored: in the cellar.