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Another ‘ugly’ event to fight food insecurity planned at South Surrey farm

Heppell family’s Ugly Potato Days, which offer free produce, attract thousands
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People from all over the Lower Mainland and valley picked up free potatoes, as well as squash and carrots, at a previous Ugly Potato Day event at the Heppell family farm on 184 Street in South Surrey. Another event is planned for Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. (Tricia Weel photo)

It’s time to once again, think ugly, at a South Surrey farm.

The Heppell farming family is hosting another Ugly Potato Day event March 30, where they offer ‘ugly’ produce that is deemed unsuitable for grocery stores to the public for free – and it will likely be one of that last such events at the 4945 184 Street farm location, Tyler Heppell noted on social media.

Heppell, who showcases local farming on his TikTok and Instagram accounts, noted how the police were called the last time they held a food giveaway event, as parking snarled the street and cause traffic issues.

“We’ve learned from our mistakes and we have buffed up our security and parking team,” Heppell said in a social media video. “And yes – that means we are doing another Ugly Potato Day this month.”

READ MORE: Ugly Potato Day crowd causes parking kerfuffle at South Surrey farm

READ MORE: 40,000 lbs of spuds given away at Heppell Farm’s Ugly Potato Day

He noted how the events, which now attract thousands of people from all over the Lower Mainland and valley, started less than two years ago, and how only 12 people showed up at the first one.

“This year, our goal is to donate over half a million pounds of ugly vegetables to our community,” Heppell said, but added there will likely be a location change for future events, after the March 30 Ugly Potato Day is held.

“This is probably going to be one of the last events on the farm, because these events are getting too big,” he said in the video.

To help yourself to free potatoes and produce, visit the potato farming family’s location at 4945 184 Street on

Saturday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to noon (no early birds).

“Please bring your own bag and a cash donation for the local food banks if you can,” Heppell said in the video, as they always raise funds for local food banks at every event.



Tricia Weel

About the Author: Tricia Weel

I’m a lifelong writer, and worked as a journalist in community newspapers for more than a decade, from White Rock to Parksville and Qualicum Beach, to Abbotsford and Surrey, from 2001-2012
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