Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and staff handed out bags of Georgia-grown sweet potatoes to long lines of locals, Saturday, Nov. 18.
Johnson began giving away sweet potatoes during his mayoral campaign at several public events, such as the first Laney Walker Bethlehem Heritage Festival, in November 2021.
“Everyone else was giving away turkeys,” said the mayor, noting the idea of dispensing free bundles of sweet potatoes instead came from the suggestion of a farmer friend. “Every farmer I know has sweet potato pies and yam casseroles… So, we bring them up from south Georgia, by the truckload, and it’s been a hit. And it’s healthy, all Georgia grown.”
Johnson has since handed out nearly 20,000 bags of sweet potatoes at more than 10 events throughout the county, totaling more than 50,000 pounds.
Saturday’s event kicked off at 10 a.m. at 4102 Windsor Spring Road, Johnson’s campaign headquarters. Several staff and volunteers, including Richmond County School Board member Ed Lowery, camped alongside the drive-thru area of the former Popeye’s restaurant building to distribute the bags, with several volunteers in the Windsor Plaza parking lot directing to direct traffic. Everyone made sure to bid visitors a happy Thanksgiving entering and exiting the line.
By 11 a.m., staff estimated some 100 vehicles had already passed through with folk eager to receive the free potatoes, along with recipe cards for “Edna Mae’s Sweet Potato Pie.”
The Sweet Potato Giveaway, which went until noon, was the inauguration of a new annual event by the Mayor’s Office, but also “the last hurrah,” Johnson said, of use at that location, as the campaign offices are scheduled to move headquarters. The current location is slated for development as a Parker’s Kitchen.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
