January 14, 2026
Spud flood, mood flood
4k tons of potatoes to be given away for free in Berlin
Berlin’s spud flood: sign-ups closed, fans cheer, skeptics yell PR stunt
TLDR: A Saxony farm’s 4,000 tons of potatoes are being trucked to Berlin for free; sign-ups are closed. Comments split between praise, worry about past fiascos, econ explainers, and ketchup jokes as Berlin rails against waste.
This isn’t your average food giveaway—Berlin is about to be buried in spuds. A Saxony farm’s extra 4,000 tons of potatoes are being rescued from the trash heap, with Ecosia paying for trucks and Berliner Morgenpost organizing the hand-outs. But the real action is online: sign-ups closed fast, and the comment section exploded with cheers and FOMO. One crowd is clapping—“Good on them” energy—thrilled this huge haul won’t rot while people go hungry. Another crowd is side-eyeing hard, wondering if this is a slick PR moment or a logistics nightmare.
A linked Vice story reignited doubts: could going viral actually waste more food? Then came the nerdy hot take everyone argued over: an armchair economist explained that when supply way outstrips demand, the price of selling goes negative—cue a mini Econ 101 about electricity and why dumping food can weirdly be “cheaper” than selling it. It’s bizarre, but also a reminder of how broken our food system is.
Meanwhile, humor rules the thread: ketchup memes, elephant-weight comparisons, and “Why am I never where the excitement is?” vibes. Accepted folks await emails with pickup times; rejected ones are sulking and refreshing 4000-tonnen.de hoping for more drop sites and trucks. Verdict from the crowd: whether hero move or hype, Berlin’s ready to mash, roast, and debate.
Key Points
- •A Saxony farm has 4,000 tons of surplus potatoes due to market oversupply and falling prices.
- •Ecosia is funding transport from Saxony to Berlin; Berliner Morgenpost is organizing distribution.
- •The first truck of potatoes is en route to Berlin for free handouts.
- •Registration to collect potatoes is closed; applicants will be notified by email with collection details.
- •Berliner Morgenpost is seeking more distribution sites and donations; information is at www.4000-tonnen.de.