The charity selected this month is “Ugly Potato Day“
Ugly Potato Day, an event started by the Heppell potato farming family two years ago, started as a way to help reduce the number of edible potatoes that go to waste due to their odd shape, growth cracks or bruises. It also helps battle food insecurity in the region, as the initiative invites residents to stop by the property and fill up on the still-delicious produce for free.
Now more than 4,000 people regularly show up to each event, and the farm is at capacity each time. Carrots, squash, and other produce often donated as well as the event grows.
Partnering with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, the Heppells have collected thousands of dollars in donations for local food banks at each event and 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 Greater Vancouver Food Bank was set up as a temporary relief to the hunger crisis in 1983 and has grown significantly in the four decades since then.
Providing assistance to approximately 15,000 individuals monthly across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore.