Free potatoes

[JohnD]

Following a bumper harvest, there is a glut and prices have plummeted.

In Berlin, 1-tonne bags are being taken to designated collection points where people can help themselves for nothing. The alternative would be to send them to landfill, animal feed, and incineration.

An interesting experiment.

I believe that in USA, excess production of cheese would be bought up to subsidise the dairy industry, and handed out in approved poverty schemes.

The potatoes are free to anyone who can be arsed to go and get them.

 

[MNW67]

I think we gave away free butter in the 1980s as part of reducing the EU butter mountain.

 

[JohnD]

Was that in food banks or the equivalent?

We have vastly more of those now.

The price must have been set too high in those days.

If correctly priced, intervention stocks are self financing, because they buy cheap in times of excess, and sell higher in times of shortage. There should never be a mountain or lake.

 

[JohnD]

I wonder if Berlin has a "Smash" factory that can make instant mash? It has quite a long shelf life. I used to keep a bit in my store cupboard but don't see it now.

 

[foxhole]

USA not known for cheese , usually all highly processed cr*p.

 

[motorbiking]

Giving away excess product is not a great solution to falling prices. Obviously a good idea for people who need help.

 

[Highway Man]

Be better to give them to a food bank and other charity's.

 

[aveatry]

Following a bumper harvest, there is a glut and prices have plummeted.

In Berlin, 1-tonne bags are being taken to designated collection points where people can help themselves for nothing. The alternative would be to send them to landfill, animal feed, and incineration.

An interesting experiment.

I believe that in USA, excess production of cheese would be bought up to subsidise the dairy industry, and handed out in approved poverty schemes.

The potatoes are free to anyone who can be arsed to go and get them.

How could anyone be so cruel as to give people American cheese - and how can they even call it cheese its an abomination.

 

[JohnD]

Giving away excess product is not a great solution to falling prices. Obviously a good idea for people who need help.

I don't think anybody has suggested it is a solution to falling prices.

 

[JohnD]

Be better to give them to a food bank and other charity's.

That has also been done.

Reportedly the first tonne was given away to 100 needy families.

10kg each, a reasonable amount.

 

[Odds]

Free potatoes?

One word.

Poitín.

 

[JohnD]

German duties on spirits are very modest.

About 5 Euro per bottle.

 

[securespark]

Spuds in JS were really cheap before Christmas.

I picked up a bag for 12p.

 

[pete01]

I get mine for free anyway from my potato tree in the garden.

 

[Lirefighter]