Over 20,000 people gathered at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds for this year’s Ugly Potato Day, marking the largest event in its history. Now in partnership with Odd Bunch, a leading Canadian produce subscription company, and Ten Servings Co., the 2025 edition focused on tackling two urgent issues: food waste and hunger.
490,000 Pounds of Produce Rescued and Shared
This year’s Ugly Potato Day saw over 490,000 pounds of fresh produce redistributed to the community, all rescued from farms and suppliers where it might otherwise have gone to waste.
Attendees left with bags full of potatoes, squash, apples, carrots, peppers, pineapples, and more. On average, each household took home between 20 and 30 pounds of produce, providing meaningful support for thousands of families across the Lower Mainland.
What began as a grassroots effort to save “ugly” potatoes has grown into a large-scale community movement, combining environmental sustainability with direct food access.
Why Ugly Potato Day Matters
Each year, millions of pounds of edible food in Canada are discarded simply because they don’t meet cosmetic standards. Misshapen, oversized, or slightly blemished produce often goes unsold despite being perfectly nutritious.
Ugly Potato Day was created to challenge that mindset: turning what would be waste into nourishment. By redirecting rescued food to households and food banks, the event not only reduces landfill waste but also helps combat food insecurity. This is a growing issue in Canada, where nearly 1 in 6 households struggles to afford healthy meals.
Expanding the Impact Through Partnership with Odd Bunch
This year’s partnership with Odd Bunch took the event to new heights. The company’s strong relationships with Canadian farmers and distributors helped secure more rescued produce than ever before, while their expertise in logistics ensured smooth coordination throughout the day.
Innovations like smart ticketing, timed entry slots, and expanded distribution zones helped manage crowds efficiently, ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for all 20,000+ attendees.
“Odd Bunch’s involvement allowed us to scale responsibly,” said a Ten Servings spokesperson. “It’s proof of what’s possible when businesses, nonprofits, and communities come together to fight food waste.”
More Than a Giveaway: A True Community Festival
Beyond the numbers, the event carried the spirit of celebration. The Agriplex at Cloverdale Fairgrounds transformed into a lively community hub with live music, local food trucks, kids’ activities, and volunteer stations.
Hundreds of volunteers sorted produce, handed out bags, and helped families navigate the event. Local organizations also played a key role in collecting and redistributing any remaining produce to food banks and community kitchens ensuring that nothing went to waste.
Turning Surplus Into Solutions
Ugly Potato Day 2025 showcased how collective action can create measurable change. In total, half a million pounds of produce were saved from landfills, providing nutritious food for thousands of families and reducing the environmental footprint of wasted food.
The event demonstrated the power of partnerships between farmers, nonprofits, sponsors, and innovative food rescue companies like Odd Bunch and Ten Servings. Together, they’re proving that imperfect produce can have a perfect purpose.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Following the success of this record-breaking year, Ugly Potato Day will return to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in August 2026, continuing its mission to fight food waste and hunger, one potato at a time.
To volunteer, donate, or partner with Ugly Potato Day 2026, visit www.tenservings.ca or contact info@tenservings.ca.
Join the movement to fight food waste in Canada, and help ensure that no good food goes to waste.
Media Contact
Company Name: Ten Servings
Contact Person: Maria Atuesta
Email:Send Email
Country: Canada
Website: https://www.tenservings.ca