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.
