Surrey’s Ugly Potato Day Smashes Guinness World Record with Over 246,000 kg of Produce Donated
Key takeaways
- 246,528.61 kg distributed in 24 hours
- Beats Sacramento’s 2016 record by 22,000+ kg
- Started in 2022 with twelve people
- Over 30,000 attendees, 25 farms involved
- Around 70% of produce from British Columbia
Why it matters
- For farmers
- Out-grade produce has a route to value here that is neither the packhouse nor the bin.
- For traders
- Twenty-five farms clearing cosmetic rejects at once is a visible measure of how much volume grading removes.
60-second summary
Surrey’s annual Ugly Potato Day has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest donation of fruit and vegetables in 24 hours, distributing 246,528.61 kg (543,501 lb) at the Cloverdale Agriplex — more than 22,000 kg above the record Sacramento had held since 2016. Organised by Odd Bunch and founded by Tyler Heppell, the event began in 2022 as a gathering of twelve people at the Heppell family farm and now draws over 30,000 attendees with 25 farms involved, roughly 70% of the produce grown in British Columbia and the rest from Arizona. A Guinness adjudicator confirmed the result. The point is rescuing produce that is misshapen but perfectly edible — potatoes, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes — and supporting local growers through difficult economics; Heppell, whose family farm is a century old, argues that buying BC-grown produce is what protects the region’s agriculture. Free timed entry managed the crowds, with leftovers going to food banks.
In a remarkable display of community spirit and food waste reduction, Surrey’s annual Ugly Potato Day has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the largest donation of fruits and vegetables in 24 hours. Organized by Odd Bunch and founded by Tyler Heppell, the event distributed a staggering 246,528.61 kg (543,501 lbs) of produce at the Cloverdale Agriplex—surpassing the previous record held by Sacramento since 2016 by more than 22,000 kg. What began in 2022 as a small gathering of just 12 people at Heppell’s family farm has now grown into a major community movement, attracting over 30,000 attendees and involving 25 farms, with roughly 70% of the produce sourced locally from British Columbia and the rest from Arizona. The record was officially confirmed by a Guinness adjudicator, and the achievement was celebrated by Heppell, Odd Bunch founder Divy Ojha, Sharing Excess founder Evan Ehlers, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who praised the collective effort and love behind the donations.
The event not only highlighted the importance of rescuing “ugly” but perfectly edible produce—including potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes—but also underscored the critical need to support local farmers during challenging economic times. Heppell, whose family farm has operated for a century, emphasized that buying BC-grown products is vital to protecting the region’s agricultural future against outside competition. With free registration and timed entry slots to manage crowds, the initiative ensured orderly distribution, with any leftover produce going to local food banks. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and other city officials attended, applauding the event’s positive impact. Heppell reflected on the emotional journey, noting that thousands of volunteer hours and small acts of kindness culminated in this world-record feat, reinforcing the message that community support—whether for one person or tens of thousands—carries equal weight and significance.
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Sources
- Tyler Heppell (Odd Bunch) and Divy Ojha — quoted in the article; record confirmed by a Guinness adjudicator
Linked in this material
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- Canada
- Companies
- Odd Bunch; Sharing Excess
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- Events and exhibitionsNews
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