The Welfare Services arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is joining with Idaho farmers to donate millions of potatoes to 19 food banks in nine states.

About 1.6 million pounds of fresh potatoes will be donated in the coming months to food banks in the selected states. Another 600,000 pounds of potato flakes will be distributed internationally.

"The LDS Church views this as a wonderful opportunity to partner with farmers, processors, local food banks and international organizations to provide these very welcomed potato products to people in need of food," said Roger D. Brown of Church Welfare Services. Donations of whole potatoes began the week of April 25 and will continue through the coming months.

The potato flakes will be dispersed internationally during emergencies.

The church is funding much of the transportation of the potatoes to processing and packaging facilities and final delivery sites.