Ugly Potato Day, is a wonderful event started by the Heppell potato farming family two years ago. It began as a fun way to reduce the number of perfectly good potatoes that go to waste because of their quirky shapes, growth cracks, or bruises. It also helps fight food insecurity in the area by inviting residents to stop by the farm. They are able to fill up on these still-delicious potatoes for free.
Most importantly, over 4,000 people come to each event, and the farm reaches full capacity every time. Carrots, squash, and other produce are often donated as the event continues to grow.
In short, the partnership with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, the Heppells have raised thousands of dollars in donations. These donations are for local food banks at each event and have donated 406,000 meals to those in need.
“That means now that farms who do donate to the day can get tax receipts. Where in the past, that hasn’t been the case, so we’re really encouraging farms out to us to partner up,” Heppell said.
The GVFB was created in 1983 as a temporary response to the hunger crisis and has grown a lot over the past four decades.
For instance it now provides help to about 15,000 individuals every month across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore.