Islanders turned out to collect thousands of pounds of free potatoes during this year’s “Fill Your Boots” gathering. G Visser and Sons, Monaghan Farms, and Spud Isle Farms collaborated with the PEI Potato Board for this initiative, marking the fourth event in the last three years.
Close to 900 participants embraced the chance to fill their boots with free potatoes generously offered by these farms, according to a press release from the Prince Edward Island Potato Board.
The event provided a fun and interactive way for these farms to express their gratitude to the local community. Attendees demonstrated their appreciation by generously donating over $3,200 to the local food bank, along with numerous food items to support its cause.
Recognizing the significance of sharing with those in need, attendees were encouraged to grab additional bags of potatoes for any community members unable to attend the event.
“It is a great way to engage with surrounding communities and show them what we do; the ability to do that while providing free potatoes and collecting donations for the food bank makes the event even more impactful,” said PEI Potato Board chairman John Visser. “We thank the farms who participated this year.”
The event went beyond just offering free potatoes; it aimed to strengthen the bond between farms and the community. Attendees enjoyed an array of exciting activities, such as farm tours, demonstrations of state-of-the-art equipment, immersive experiences with VR headsets, and the chance to snap photos with the cherished PEI Potatoes mascot, Tate. Adding to the excitement, visitors witnessed a demonstration of a potato cannon in action.
The concept for the inaugural “Fill Your Boots” event was conceived by G Visser and Sons of Orwell Cove during the winter of 2022. Since then, they have hosted four events on their farm.
“We view the chance to extend generosity in this manner as a significant blessing, enabling us to forge stronger connections within our community while also sharing our harvest,” said Chief Operating Officer Adam Jay.
