A vast stockpile of potatoes is being given away for free by a farm in the German state of Saxony, after a bumper national harvest. Thousands of tasty tubers have been rolling into the country's capital, Berlin, since mid-January, with residents risking icy streets to bag their share. Dubbed 'the great potato rescue', it is part of a plan to stop about 4 million kg (8.8 million lb) of surplus spuds from going to ruin. Food banks, schools, and churches are among the beneficiaries, according to organisers. However, the enterprise was labelled a 'disgusting PR stunt' by the Brandenburg Farmers' Association, which lamented the impact on local markets. Germany is the European Union's potato-producing capital, and last year's harvest has left the market saturated. Ultimately it is about 'putting the potato in the spotlight as a valuable food,' said Berliner Morgenpost editor Peter Schink, who helped spearhead the plan. The newspaper teamed up with eco-friendly search engine firm, Ecosia, to co-ordinate and fund the distribution of the spuds. Osterland Agrar, the agricultural firm that ended up with all the potatoes after a customer contract was cancelled, noted they plan to distribute approximately 500,000 kg to Berlin and other parts of Germany and Ukraine. But not everyone is celebrating, as critics argue that food should retain its value, regardless of the intentions behind distributing free potatoes at schools and churches. In Berlin, a special website lists 174 spud-hubs in and around the capital. Despite some optimistic attempts to collect potatoes from designated spots, many residents remain unaware of the initiative, although media coverage has generated interest in the story across Germany and beyond. As Germany has a gastronomic passion for potatoes, this story has sparked discussions about the country's agricultural issues, with the initiative expected to wind down as funding diminishes, though one more truckload may be expected once the weather warms up.