Massive free produce giveaway in Metro Vancouver sets new world record
A staggering amount of free produce given away in Metro Vancouver over the weekend has officially set a new Guinness World Record.
The recent “Ugly Potato Day,” founded by Ty Heppell, co-owner of Heppells Farm, was held at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds Agriplex on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Heppell previously revealed that the regular event, presented by Odd Bunch, was inspired by the idea of fighting food waste by giving out perfectly edible yet “imperfect” vegetables that might otherwise have been discarded.
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“Our vision is about reducing waste and showing the power of farmers working together to bring fresh produce to our communities,” said Heppell in a previous release about Ugly Potato Day, which launched in 2022.
“Our first event started with 12 people coming out, and has now grown to become an international movement.”
More than 30,000 people attended the Ugly Potato Day in Surrey, which opened at the Agriplex at 9 a.m.
Odd Bunch
Odd Bunch
Photos of the event show rows of bins packed with produce like potatoes, carrots, apples, and more. Twenty-five farms donated to the event, and 70 per cent of the “ugly” fruits and vegetables were from local growers.
A representative from the Guinness World Records was on site to help weigh all of the donated produce and confirm that the Ugly Potato Day was the new largest donation of fruits and vegetables in 24 hours.
The total weight of the free produce collected and donated was over 543,000 pounds.
Odd Bunch
A plaque commemorating the achievement was awarded to Heppell; Divy Ojha, founder of Odd Bunch; Evan Ehlers, founder of Sharing Excess; and motivational speaker, author, and coach Tony Robbins.
“What an incredible day, filled with the most incredible people, organizers and the funkiest produce,” said Odd Bunch on social media.
“Thanks to everyone who helped out, and all the beautiful people who came.”
Heppell’s grassroots free produce initiative has now expanded to farms across B.C., Alberta, Prince Edward Island, Idaho, and Kansas City.
Odd Bunch
Recent data shows just how much more B.C. groceries have gone up in the past year.
An average grocery basket in B.C. climbed by nearly four per cent year-over-year, according to research from fintech company KOHO.
B.C.’s lowest-paid workers may have received a boost to the minimum wage starting on June 1, but a report is shining a light on the increasing gap between pay and the cost of living in the province.
BC Policy Solutions and Living Wage BC recently released a report highlighting Statistics Canada data showing that a third of B.C. workers earn less than the living wage in their communities.
According to Living Wage BC, the minimum wage of $18.25 an hour is over $3 per hour below the lowest living wage in the province, $21.55 in Grand Forks.
With files from Daily Hive staff