Idaho Farmer Gives Away Millions of Potatoes for Free to People in Need

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An Idaho farmer is being lauded for giving away millions of unsold potatoes for free to avoid food wastage amid the CCP virus pandemic.

Ryan Cranney, the CEO of Cranney Farms in Oakley, Idaho, posted a message on his Facebook page offering free potatoes. Cranney wrote, “We started dumping potatoes today as we have no home for them because of this Covid 19 disaster.”

“The potato supply chain has definitely been turned upside down. If you would like a few bags come on by,” he added.

Just two days after putting out the huge mound of potatoes, Ryan Cranney was amazed to see how many of the spuds had been picked up. He estimated 6,000 bags, 100 pounds (approx. 45 kg) each, amounting to “several million individual potatoes” had been taken by people in need, according to KTVB.

The people who came across Cranney Farms’ post, which has been shared almost 10,000 times, were extremely grateful for the gesture in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. Many left moving compliments, praising his kind deed, while others inquired if they could drive over to get a few bags.

“God bless you, Mr. Cranney. You are a true American hero,” one social media user wrote.

“We will pay it forward and share with our neighbors! It was worth the three-hour drive!!” another said.

“What a bittersweet offering, at the expense of your family to bless others,” wrote another. “I hope blessings are plentiful for you and your family.”

The food supply chain for many farmers has been completely altered by the lockdowns in response to the global health tragedy, leaving them with no way of predicting demand. Rather, the demand for many food items dropped with the closure of cafeterias and restaurants due to the outbreak of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. Suddenly, farmers across the United States are finding themselves with a surplus of crops and nowhere to sell them.

With people self-isolating at home to curb the further spread of the epidemic, the farm produce markets have “fallen apart,” Cranney said while speaking to CNN. “The factories that we sell to for french fries, they’ve lost their sales and had to shut their factories down [...] we’re having a difficult time getting them to market,” he said.

Faced with these situations, Cranney was looking at a dismal choice, either throwing them away or having them be converted in feed for livestock. The idea to give them away instead was met with a surprisingly enthusiastic response. Describing himself as “blown away” by the numbers of people showing up to pick up the spuds, Cranney told the outlet that people visiting his farm to get some stock are coming from even far away places, with some driving over a few hours.

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In addition to Idahoans, Cranney has even been contacted by a woman driving all the way from Kansas to get some potato stock for her family. Volunteers from food banks and other charitable organizations are showing up too, as well as people picking up extra bags to share with friends and neighbors.

The thoughtful farmer’s kind act is definitely being paid forward, something that gives him great satisfaction.

“We gave a little bit and now they’re giving in return, and that’s what made it worth it to me,” Cranney told the outlet. “It’s been fun for me to see people thinking of others and give their time and resources to take care of other people.”