Potato Month promotion supports Canadian Potato Museum

Grand prize goes to O’Leary resident

For the first time in the six-year history of the potato sales promotion Sobeys and W.P. Griffin Inc. holds in support of the Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary, there’s a local winner of the grand prize draw. Dorothy Gaudet, who lives just one street over from the museum, wins the Holman Grand accommodations package which also includes passes to the museum, other prizes and $500 in spending money. Gaudet, from left, and her daughter, Olivia MacCallum, accept their prize basket from museum director Kim Boulter and Bloomfield Foodland produce manager Michele Costain. Gaudet said she has been to the museum for the restaurant but plans to do her first tour of the property this year. Last year the museum had close to 14,000 visitors. - Eric McCarthy

O’LEARY

For the past six years the Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary has benefitted from a Potato Month promotion run every February by WP Griffin Inc and Sobey and Co-op stores in Atlantic Canada.

This year’s promotion, which involves the February sales of Canadian Heritage brand russet potatoes, raised $15,655 for the potato museum. The six-year total from the campaign has grown to $190,155.

John Griffin, third left, presents the Sobey’s and W.P. Griffin Inc. 2018 contribution of $15,655 for the Canadian Potato Museum to Bill MacKendrick, president of the museum’s board of directors. Looking on, from left, are Greg Donald, P.E.I. Potato Board general manager, Willey Dunbar, museum board member; Michele Costain, Bloomfield Foodland produce manager and Donna Rowley, museum manager. With this year’s contribution, the potato museum has now received $190,155 over six years through the sale of WP Griffin’s Canadian Heritage brand of russet potatoes at Sobeys and Co-op stores throughout Atlantic Canada during February’s Potato Month. MacKendrick said the funds will be used to add to the museum’s exhibits.

Museum president Bill MacKendrick said the money will be used for major renovations and for upgrading exhibits. Previous contributions have helped to upgrade the museum’s heating system.

Customers participating in the potato month promotion from throughout Atlantic Canada had the opportunity to submit ballots for a chance to win prizes.

Dorothy Gaudet, who lives one street over from the Potato Museum was the grand prize winner. Her prize package includes accommodations at the Holman Grand, spending money and admission to the museum.