Latest News From Sweet Potatoes

The balance of Louisiana sweet potatoes going to fresh versus processed could be changing.

Sweet potatoes continue to find an eager audience in foreign markets.

Frieda’s Inc., Los Alamitos, Calif., suggests going purple for Easter this year.

Faison, N.C.-based Southern Produce Distributors Inc. paired up with Asheville, N.C.-based The Hop Ice Cream Cafe to make Carolina Covington Cheesecake ice cream, and Southern Exposure attendees can get a taste March 3.

Snow Hill, N.C.-based Ham Farms will soon debut its Prime Organics brand.

Sweet potato grower-shipper Southern Produce Distributors Inc., Faison, N.C., has hired Randy Swartz as chief financial officer and general manager.

Sweet potato company Southern Produce Distributors has a new packing line that doubles efficiency, with a computerized sizer that ensures consistent shape and weight.

Growers Jerome and Diane Vick were recently honored by the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission for their contributions to the state’s industry.

Chadbourn, N.C.-based Wayne E Bailey Produce Co. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but firm president George Wooten said the 85-year old company will continue to operate normally as it reorganizes.

North Carolina sweet potato grower Stewart Precythe was posthumously honored by the U.S. Sweet Potato Council for his contributions to the industry.

Sweet potato company Southern Produce Distributors has hired Heath Johnsey as operations manager.

Carb alternatives and brain-healthy foods are expected to be popular food trends this year, and blue-purple produce high in anthocyanin can help fulfill consumer demand, according to Frieda’s Inc.

Wada Farms has partnered with The Produce Moms to create “Sweet Spud Love,” an e-book for consumers providing an in-depth look at sweet potatoes along with family-friendly recipes.

Howard Fisackerly is planning to retire from his role of chief operating officer at Southern Produce Distributors Inc. at the end of the year.

Wada Farms Marketing Group has a joint venture with Nyssa, Ore.-based Owyhee Produce to grow and ship sweet potatoes out of the Treasure Valley.

Organics typically account for a relatively small part of sweet potato growers’ business, but they say the segment continues to grow.

Frieda’s Specialty Produce suggests that retailers promote Stokes Purple sweet potatoes during the fall to help bring consumers into the produce department.

Sweet potatoes have a strong association with the holidays, but the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission is urging consumers to “Be Sweet More Often.”

The demands of export buyers are leading U.S. shippers to take additional steps to differentiate themselves from the competition.

Business updates from companies featured in The Packer's North Carolina Sweet Potatoes shipping profile.

Sweet potato fries — often prepared from frozen products — are finding a place on more restaurant menus, but what about fresh sweet potatoes?

North Carolina’s sweet potato acreage declined 15,000 acres this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The drop is significant considering that the state produces more than half of the nation’s crop.

Despite a significant decline in acreage, North Carolina sweet potato growers are optimistic about the size and quality of their crop.

Not too long ago, sweet potatoes were a relative rarity in restaurants.

Business updates from companies featured in The Packer's Southern Sweet Potatoes section.

Sweet potatoes continue to make progress moving past being just a Thanksgiving side dish, marketers say.

Business updates on companies featured in The Packer's Sweet Potatoes Marketing section.

Sweet potatoes are a booming business in the U.S. Thus far, few people in the industry seem concerned about a bust in the cycle, despite the fact that production increased from 1.3 billion pounds in 2000 to 3.1 billion i

Growers are optimistic for 2017's crop.

Our seventh-month old grandson is a fan of sweet potatoes in near liquid form.

Robersonville, N.C.-based Corey Farms and its Corey Produce branch - a fifth-generation sweet potato and watermelon grower-shipper - opened its own packing facility last summer and says it now is able to fi

Black Gold Farms will soon begin harvesting sweet potatoes in Louisiana.

In the fall and winter, Georgia growers harvest hot peppers, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Historically high rainfall levels in Louisiana are keeping sweet potato growers out of fields and will affect volumes in the state.

Sweet potato growers know about following trends, as their product has become trendy in the past five or so years. Now many are exploring another hot option to deliver in the produce department - organics.

As national demand for sweet potatoes continues to increase each year, suppliers have prepared to meet this need.

The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute has announced its interest in Mexico as a potential importer for U.S. sweet potatoes.

Sweet potato growers say the 2016-17 season looks to be good as growing conditions have been more conducive to quality crops than last year.

With per-capita consumption of sweet potatoes continuing to set records, suppliers are offering retailers plenty of options for the root vegetable.

Sweet potato growers in the South say pricing this season should be steady and similar to last season. They also have promotions that retailers can take advantage of to capitalize on this good market.

Mother Nature is cooperating with this year's southern sweet potato crop - for the most part - sources say.

North Carolina sweet potato growers say they'll be in the fields early this year and the harvest should bring the best yields in years.