UPDATE August 14:

I am so overwhelmed by the generous contributions we have received from 923 people so far - $67,412 + another $10,000 that will be sent directly to the Grower's association. Today I worked on the logistics of the operation.  We will find out tomorrow if the international aid organizations in Gaza can effectively distribute such large quantities of potatoes in a short time. If they can't, we will purchase the amount that they can deliver to the most needy people in Gaza and use the rest of the money to purchase something else such as powered milk for babies.  We will take guidance from the international organizations on the ground in Gaza and purchase what is most needed and would be the most helpful. We will stay within the category of food support - so keep the contributions coming.

THANKS

Gershon

The Israeli vegetable growers' association has a surplus of 5000 tons of potatoes that will be destroyed on Sunday. The farmers get .50 NIS per kilo ($0.144) as compensation for not being able to send the potatoes to market. This is a system that exists in most countries with a modern agricultural system.  It aims at protecting the farmers by guaranteeing them a fair price for their hard labor.    We asked the association to donate the potatoes, they simply cannot.  It is against their bylaws and they are an association founded by the growers to protect them.

We can get those potatoes for the same price + shipping and send them to Gaza. For about $730,000 we can send 5000 tons of potatoes to Gaza.

The going price for potatoes today in Gaza is between 4-6 times that price. 

We will arrange for a reputable International Charitable organization working in Gaza to receive them and distribute them to the most needy in Gaza.

All funds contributed to the campaign will go directly for this.  If we collect less money, we will try to bargain with the association to give us more for less.  We will purchase as much as we can with the money collected.

The funds must be committed by Sunday August 17, 2014

UPDATE:  After asking the Israeli vegetable growers association to donate some of the potato surplus to Gaza they responded positively and agreed to reduce the price we will pay by 20%!!! That is a sizable amount of money and will enable us to increase the amount of potatoes we will send to Gaza's neediest people! Spread the word!