Massive potato display raises more than $10,000

About 5,500 of 7,000 10-lb (4.54 kg) bags of potatoes in a huge display at an Atlantic Superstore in Charlottetown were sold this week, raising money to fight childhood hunger on the Island.

• No small potatoes: 140,000 pounds of spuds on display at P.E.I. Superstore

At $1.99 a bag, that's more than $10,000 raised for local charities.

Mark Boudreau, director for corporate affairs for Loblaws Atlantic Canada, said the company is still determining which charities will receive the money.

"We definitely support breakfast for learning, and breakfast for learning programs in most schools on the Island," said Boudreau.

"We'll take a look at the funds that were raised and see how we want to distribute them, but whatever's raised on the Island will definitely stay on the Island."

Superstore partnered with Garden Isle Farms to create the display. The P.E.I. Potato Board says the event is the largest ever retail display of potatoes, anofficial record that was previously held by a retailer in Washington State.

• How many potatoes does P.E.I. grow in a year?

As part of the event 9,000 kilograms of potatoes was donated to the Upper Room Food Bank in Charlottetown. The unsold bags from the display will be going to other food banks in the province.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |P.E.I. government's mind made up on school closures, Opposition charges
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |A tale of two schools: One's half empty, one's extra full