Spuddy Buddy Rolls Through Massillon; St. Mary Students Get Up-Close View

The Famous Idaho Potato Tour lived up to its billing this morning as the Idaho Potato Commission's giant potato rolled into our parking lot on board "Spuddy Buddy," the truck that has been traveling the nation's highways since April.

The tour pulled in at 10 a.m. Kaiti, Ellis and Paul (the driver) hopped out and began preparing for a visit by fifth and sixth grade students from St. Mary School in Massillon. Meanwhile, several visitors stopped by and took photos of the giant spud, specially constructed for the tour that celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission.

The school bus carrying the students arrived at 11 a.m. Tour staff began by asking questions to see what they really knew about potatoes and why they're so nutritious. Students who gave correct answers received Spuddy Buddy plush potato dolls as prizes. Afterward, Kaiti, Ellis and Paul answered the students' questions about potatoes and the tour.

The crew also made a presentation to Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. On behalf of the Commission, Kaiti said that a month's worth of potatoes would be donated to the agency to be used in menu items for client meals. She made the presentation to Teresa Barry, our CEO.

Students posed for group photos with the potato before leaving at 11:30 to return to school. From Massillon, the tour headed to Pittsburgh, and from there on to Hartford, Conn.

Our thanks to the Idaho Potato Commission for their support, and to the Famous Idaho Potato Tour for including us on their schedule!

The staff of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties

poses with the Famous Idaho Potato Tour truck

The Famous Idaho Potato Tour Will Visit Us May 24!

Ever wanted to see a 12,000 pound potato? Then stop by Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties on Thursday, May 24, when the Famous Idaho Potato Tour brings "the worlds' largest spud" to Massillon.

The Idaho Potato Commission, a national supporter of Meals On Wheels, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary by touring the country with the world's largest potato, displayed on a flatbed truck. It's an updated, larger than life version of the photo on the classic Idaho Potato postcard that made the rounds over the years.

The tour is criss-crossing the United States and will be in Ohio most of that week. "Spuddy Buddy," the name of the truck that is carrying the giant spud, will be at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on May 24. Our building is located at 2363 Nave Road Southeast in Massillon.

Visit the tour's website for facts and figures, plus photos and a video of how the super spud was built.

So stop by, and bring the kids -- you've got to see it to believe it! Take your picture with a one-of-a-kind slice of Americana, and celebrate Idaho Potatoes, Meals On Wheels, and our joint effort to fight hunger locally and across the country.