Warden potato grower gives spuds away to whoever wants them

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Potatoes are stacked to the ceiling inside Frank Martinez Family Farm’s shed in Warden on Friday.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Potatoes pile out of the conveyor, slowly filling a semi-truck bed outside Frank Martinez’s potato storage shed in Warden on Friday afternoon.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Frank Martinez motions to the mountains of potatoes behind him on Friday as he talks about the storage facility and how he’s recently been dispersing his excess supply in recent weeks.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Warden farmer Frank Martinez has been giving away potatoes with demand down in recent weeks.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Russet potatoes ride down a conveyor out of the shed and up into the back of the semi-trailer to be delivered on Friday afternoon in Warden at Frank Martinez’s potato storage facility.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Potatoes roll over the top of a trailer in front of Frank Martinez Family Farm storage shed.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Frank Martinez’s potatoes soar through the air as they head into the back of the trailer waiting for delivery in Warden on Friday afternoon.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Mounds of potatoes fill Frank Martinez’s storage facility in Warden. Martinez has been giving away and donating his excess stock.

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Warden farmer Frank Martinez has been giving away potatoes as demand dwindled in recent weeks.