42,000 Pounds of Free Potatoes Are Yours for the Taking in Denver This Morning

Jul 27, 2026, 6:34 AM

Denver, you have officially run out of excuses for an empty pantry.

We Don’t Waste, the Denver-based food recovery nonprofit that does exactly what its name says, is throwing what might be the most wholesome party of the summer — and it involves a lot of carbs. The organization is hosting a free “Potato Palooza” giveaway today, Monday, July 27, at its Park Hill Food Recovery Hub, and the star of the show is roughly 42,000 pounds of fresh potatoes that were rescued from an otherwise very sad fate in a landfill somewhere.

Yes, you read that right. Forty. Two. Thousand. Pounds.

Here’s What You Need to Know

When: Today, July 27, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon. Get there early — this is free food, Denver. People will show up.

Where: Park Hill Food Recovery Hub, 6090 E. 39th Ave., Denver, CO 80207.

Cost: Absolutely nothing. Zero dollars. Free.

What to bring: This is the part where We Don’t Waste gets genuinely enthusiastic, and honestly, same. The organization is encouraging attendees to bring tote bags, boxes, carts, wagons — and they will literally let you back a pickup truck up and load it. No shame in the potato game here.

Why This Matters

Food waste is a massive, largely invisible problem in the U.S., and organizations like We Don’t Waste exist specifically to intercept perfectly good food before it disappears into a dumpster. These potatoes are fresh, they’re rescued, and without this event they’d be contributing to a landfill rather than somebody’s dinner table.

That’s a win for the community, a win for the environment, and honestly a win for anyone who’s been looking for a reason to finally try that mashed potato recipe they saved on Pinterest two years ago.

Seriously Though, Go Get Some Potatoes

Whether you’re stocking up for your household, grabbing a box for a neighbor, or just showing up because free food and a good cause is a combination that’s hard to argue with — today’s Potato Palooza is worth making time for.

Supplies are first-come, first-served, and with 42,000 pounds on the line there should be plenty to go around. But again — free potatoes, Denver. Be realistic about the crowd.

For more information on We Don’t Waste and their ongoing food recovery work, visit wedontwaste.org.

Colorado News

(Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)...

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42,000 Pounds of Free Potatoes Are Yours for the Taking in Denver This Morning