Surrey’s Ugly Potato Day Breaks Guinness World Record With 246,528 Kg of Produce Donated

Surrey’s annual Ugly Potato Day, organized by Odd Bunch, has set a new Guinness World Record after distributing 246,528.61 kg (543,501 lbs) of fruits and vegetables in 24 hours, surpassing the previous record by more than 22,000 kg. 

The event, held at the Cloverdale Agriplex in Surrey, attracted more than 30,000 people this year and highlighted efforts to reduce food waste while supporting local communities and farmers.

From 12 People to a World Record

Tyler Heppell launched Ugly Potato Day in 2022, when just 12 people visited his family’s South Surrey farm to collect free “ugly” produce that might otherwise have been discarded. 

Four years later, the initiative has grown into a major community event. Thousands of people gathered at the Cloverdale Agriplex to collect potatoes and other fruits and vegetables that may not meet conventional appearance standards but remain suitable for consumption. 

After weighing all the pallets, a Guinness World Records adjudicator confirmed that the event had established a new record. The recognition was presented to Tyler Heppell, Divy Ojha, founder of Odd Bunch, Evan Ehlers, founder of Sharing Excess, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins.

Heppell described the moment as emotional after years of work and thousands of volunteer hours.

Tyler Heppell and organizers celebrate Surrey’s Ugly Potato Day after setting a Guinness World Record for the largest donation of fruits and vegetables in 24 hours.

Tyler Heppell, Founder of Ugly Potato Day and Heppels Potato Corp.:

"This was the hardest week of my absolute life. It stretched me in ways I have never been stretched before."

"This is the fruits of my labour right here, 1000s of volunteer hours, not just mine, have gone into this, and to be here right now, I feel like I’m floating on a cloud."

Record Surpasses Previous Mark

The previous Guinness World Record for the largest donation of fruits and vegetables in 24 hours was held by the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau in Sacramento, California.

That organization donated 224,064.2 kg (493,977 lbs) of produce on September 7, 2016.

Ugly Potato Day surpassed that figure with 246,528.61 kg (543,501 lbs) of produce donated.

Motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who attended the record-setting event, said he was moved by the community effort and thanked the volunteers and farmers involved.;

Tony Robbins, Motivational Speaker:

"If you’re receiving, I hope you receive the love that’s being put into that food because somebody’s donating that not for anything but for your well-being, and they love you."

25 Farms Contribute Produce

Rows of bins filled with fruits and vegetables lined the floor of the Cloverdale Agriplex on Saturday morning. The produce included ugly potatoes, cabbage, carrots and tomatoes, all prepared for attendees to take home. 

Attendees pick up free “ugly” fruits and vegetables at Surrey’s Ugly Potato Day at the Cloverdale Agriplex.

A total of 25 farms donated produce for the event, with approximately 70% sourced locally. The remainder came from farmers in Arizona. 

Tyler’s father and Heppels Potato Corp. were among the contributors, donating more than 200,000 lbs of potatoes. 

Attendees were initially limited to two bags of produce per person, with free registration and designated time slots used to help manage the large crowds. For the past two years, pre-registration has been required to keep the event operating smoothly. 

Any produce remaining after the event will be donated to local food banks.

Supporting Local Farmers

Heppell has regularly used his social media platforms to encourage consumers to purchase local produce and support farmers in British Columbia. 

He said the relationship between farmers and their communities is particularly important during difficult economic times.

Tyler Heppell:

"Us local farmers want to support our community because we know that our community’s in a hard time. Our farm has been around for 100 years, and our community has supported us."

"And now that our community is in a hard time, we want to support them."

Heppell also emphasized the importance of consumers purchasing locally produced food to help protect the future of British Columbia’s farming sector.br> 
Tyler Heppell:

"But for us local farmers to be around, people need to support local. People need to buy BC products because everyone else is trying to ship into our market, and it’s really hurting our farmers. And that is why it’s so important to buy BC."

Heppell expressed particular gratitude to Odd Bunch, the event’s headline sponsor.

Community Support and Future Plans

Heppell said the event’s success ultimately reflects the impact of small acts of kindness and the collective effort of volunteers, farmers and community members.;

Tyler Heppell:

"I think that’s what this day is about: the small things compound, and it doesn’t matter if you have millions of followers (online) or 30,000 people coming out to your event, or if you’re just impacting one person’s life. It’s all the same."

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke attended the event alongside City Councillors Rob Stutt, Harry Bains and Pardeep Kooner.

Locke praised the event and the response from residents.;

Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey:

"It’s certainly a great gift to so many people, and you can see 1000s of 1000s of people literally are here to get the produce that they say is ugly, and I think it looks pretty darn good."

With attendance continuing to grow, Heppell said the organizers hope to return to Surrey next year but will need a larger venue to accommodate the expanding event. 

What began in 2022 with 12 people collecting unwanted produce has now become a record-setting community initiative, combining food-waste reduction, food donations and support for local farmers.