More than 25 years ago, R.D. Offutt Company team members looked for a way to support community charities and partner organizations. Through brainstorming sessions, the team identified the potential of a 100% volunteer-led potato luncheon. They also cemented the event’s name — RDO Caters Taters — and its mission: to be an effective partner to charities in the Fargo-Moorhead community through raising awareness and funds
Charities. Venues and event features have shifted and evolved over the years, but that commitment to partnership remains. Earlier this year, a selection committee, including R.D. Offutt Company team members selected Farm of the Dell of the Red River Valley (FITD) as this year’s beneficiary.
“RDO and FITD both have deep roots in agriculture. Founder Ron Offutt began his career as potato founder and built a people-first business centered in agriculture,” said Tim Curoe, R.D. Offutt Company’s chief executive officer. “FITD uses agriculture to empower, encourage, respect and support people. RDO team members are deeply connected to FITD’s mission, and their organization was the perfect recipient for our 100-percent volunteer-led community fundraising luncheon.”
Since 2012, Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley has provided employment and life experiences for individuals with disabilities in a beautiful farm and garden setting. At the farm, each individual is celebrated, and people of all abilities find purpose together.
“This year will forever be marked as pivotal for FITD as we partner with RDO’s Caters Taters,” said Anna Sather, FITD’s executive director. “This gift will help to expand our programming and Garden Engineer team in hopes of eventually extending our season, possibly into year-round employment.”
The two-hour “pound-tato” luncheon raises funds through in-person and take-out meals, tickets for raffle prizes donated by supporting businesses and community members, and event sponsorships. FITD team members and supporters gather with RDO team members to host the event which is open to the public.
100% of the dollars raised from the event go directly to the benefiting charity each year. This year’s event, the 25th RDO Caters Taters, raised a total of $108,132, which FITD team members accepted at the R.D. Offutt Co. Field Support Office in Fargo.
“I can't even say how much it means to all of us at Farm in the Dell,” Sather said. “These funds will exponentially fuel the future and help us create year-round opportunities for people with disabilities to earn a living wage through meaningful work that develops numerous skills.”
Since 2000, RDO Caters Taters for Charity has raised more than $1.2 million through in-person and take-out potato sales, raffle tickets and sponsorships to donate to more than a dozen local charities, including HOPE, INC., Jeremiah Program of Fargo-Moorhead, BIO Girls, Great Plains Food Bank, PATH of North Dakota, Valley Senior Services, and more.
Applications for the 2025 beneficiary will open early next year. To receive updates, like the Facebook page and follow RDOCatersTaters on Instagram.
RDO Equipment Co.
Founded in 1968, RDO Equipment Co. sells and supports intelligently connected agriculture, construction, environmental, irrigation, positioning, and surveying equipment from leading manufacturers, including John Deere, Vermeer, and Topcon. With more than 80 locations across the U.S. and partnerships in Africa, Australia, Mexico and Ukraine, we deliver creative solutions so our customers can grow and build the world.
