Thousands attended the last ugly potato day at the Heppell potato farm on Saturday (June 8), which ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Heppell potato farming family started Ugly Potato Day two years ago to help reduce the number of edible potatoes that go to waste due to their odd shape, growth cracks or bruises. It also helps battle food insecurity in the region, as the initiative invites residents to stop by the property and fill up on the still-delicious produce for free.
At the first event, 12 people showed up. Now, more than 3,000 people regularly show up to each event, and the farm is at capacity each time.
Tyler Heppell said everyone is always so thankful for the event. "We hear a lot of awesome stories of people driving, like, an hour or two to get here. Someone drove from Kamloops last time."
Even though the event started at 10 a.m., people started showing up an hour early, Heppell said. "It's always crazy at the start," he added.
People were also encouraged to bring a cash donation to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. The Heppells have collected thousands of dollars in donations for local food banks at each event over the past two years and donated 406,000 meals to those in need.
Saturday's event was extra special. "It's sad because this is the last time we were at the farm, but we're also really excited to expand to the Cloverdale Rodeo (Fairgrounds)," Heppell said. "We're really thankful for our sponsor, Otter Co-op, who's helping us do that because there is a lot of costs that aren't associated with farm, but are associated with moving off venue."
The larger venue will host "ugly" produce events on Saturday, Aug. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 19, where anyone who wishes can bring their shopping bags to fill up on free, "ugly" produce that cannot be sold in stores.
"We're really excited to have probably 15,000 people out to those events," Heppell said.
-With files from Tricia Weel
