Berlin has become the unexpected beneficiary of a massive potato surplus, with millions of kilograms of free spuds being distributed across the German capital since mid-January. The initiative, dubbed “the great potato rescue,” emerged after agricultural firm Osterland Agrar found itself with approximately 4 million kilograms of excess potatoes following a bumper harvest in Saxony.
Rather than allowing the potatoes to rot in fields, the company partnered with Berliner Morgenpost newspaper and eco-friendly search engine Ecosia to coordinate a large-scale distribution effort. Food banks, schools, and churches have served as primary distribution points, with 174 designated “spud-hubs” established throughout the Berlin metropolitan area.
Hans-Joachim von Massow, Managing Director of Osterland Agrar, explained that while the company could technically store the potatoes until mid-year, the market saturation made distribution necessary. “We’re not wishing to discard our magnificent tubers back into the fields,” von Massow stated, noting that approximately 500,000kg had already been transported to Berlin, with additional shipments sent to other German regions and Ukraine.
The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from agricultural associations. The Brandenburg Farmers’ Association condemned the effort as a “disgusting PR stunt,” with representative Timo Scheib arguing that “food is and will remain valuable, even if thoughtless do-gooders throw around free potatoes at schools and churches.”
Peter Schink, a Berliner Morgenpost editor who helped spearhead the plan, countered that the project ultimately aims to “put the potato in the spotlight as a valuable food” in a country known for its gastronomic passion for potatoes. Despite extensive media coverage, actual distribution has faced practical challenges, with some distribution points temporarily lacking supplies amid icy winter conditions.
The program is now winding down in Berlin as funding diminishes, though organizers anticipate one final shipment once weather conditions improve.