It all began in 1892 when Great Grandfather Gumz immigrated from Germany and settled into a small Midwestern farming community. Now, in its 5th generation of Gumz farmers, Gumz Farms in Endeavor, Wisconsin, is the Midwest’s largest supplier of sweet onions and red and yellow potatoes. It’s also the primary supplier of those staple fresh foods to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

The sheer amount supplied is staggering: On average, the farm supplies about eight loads of slightly imperfect potatoes and onions per week to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, ensuring that fresh, nutritious food reaches the tables of those who need it.

“It’s a win-win,” says Ryan Bulgrin, sales rep for Gumz Farms, which is owned by Richard and Roderick Gumz. “We’re able to supply a significant amount of food at a pick-and-pack cost for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, and at the same time, the food’s got a home, it’s not going to waste.”

The availability of onions and potatoes Gumz has each week is often greater than even Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin can distribute, so the organization helps Gumz post some of its produce on MealConnect, a web-based platform where other food banks and hunger relief partners nationwide can find surplus food donations. That way, even more potatoes and onions that might not otherwise be sold can find their way to those that need it most.

“Obviously, we want to help people within our communities,” Ryan said. “On the other hand, as farmers, we also have a lot of produce that sometimes doesn’t make it to the retail market just because of slight imperfections.”

According to ReFED, about 38 percent of food grown in the United States goes unsold or uneaten, or about 91 million tons of surplus food.

Gumz Farms’ partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin began in 2013, before Ryan began working for Gumz, where his father (Doug) is head of onion sales and his uncle (Tom) is the head of potato sales. Ryan initially pursued his education in marketing and originally planned to go into advertising.

“I was working at the farm while going to school and I kept thinking about how what I was learning could apply to what we’re doing here at Gumz,” he said. “The nice thing about working in this industry is it’s pretty challenging, but you also know you’re feeding people – it can be really rewarding in agriculture.”

Some of the potatoes and onions supplied by Gumz make their way back into the communities around Endeavor.

“It makes me feel good. You never know what somebody’s going through – I came from Portage, and as time went on, I realized that my classmates came from all kinds of different backgrounds,” Ryan said.

“You’ve got to help people out when you can, because you never know what might happen. Your situation could change in an instant and you may need help.”

Ryan learned even more about food insecurity by touring Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s Milwaukee facility and attending the annual Grateful Plate Gala. “It really speaks it into existence how much of a need there is for this assistance,” Ryan said.

Honored to have been named 2023’s Compeer Financial Food and Agribusiness of the Year, and growing 40% of Wisconsin’s yellow onions and 1,200 acres of potatoes, Gumz Farms is truly outstanding in their field.