Sand Candy Produce LLC will feature good volume of sweet potatoes during the 2022-2023 marketing season, says Delbert Bland, Sand Candy partner and owner of Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms.
Sand Candy Produce LLC is a partnership formed last year between North Carolina and Georgia sweet potato producers, Bland said.
“Last year was our first year having sweet potatoes from Georgia and North Carolina,” Bland said. “We are looking forward to building on that success this year.”
Current members of Sand Candy Produce LLC are Battleboro, N.C.-based Battleboro Produce, Bland Farms, Wilson, N.C.-based Boyette Brothers Produce and Tarboro, N.C.-based Sandy Land Produce.
The partnership represents more than 10,000 acres of sweet potato production and packs product out of four sheds, Bland said.
“We will have new-crop sweet potatoes starting in October and expect a uniform transition between old crop and new crop,” Bland said. While overall acreage is down from a year ago, Bland said the new crop is progressing nicely, with the group expecting good yields and quality, as well as ample supplies for Thanksgiving demand.
New packaging
Bland said the partnership offers all pack styles.
“We are excited to introduce our new Sand Candy packaging in October,” he said. “Last year, we were packing in members brands. This year, we will pack in the Sand Candy brand and will still have members brands available on request.”
Bland said the partnership has several promotions planned for the holidays, including a holiday bin combining sweet potatoes and sweet onions.
Sand Candy partner Bland Farms is launching a “Gameday Sweetness” promotion this fall, which will focus on tailgating recipes, tips and giveaways, he said.
Through point-of-sale material and bins in the produce department, consumers will be driven to their website and social media pages for new recipes incorporating Bland Farms Premium Sweet Onions and Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes, Bland said.
“In addition, we are offering customers programs that combine sweet potato and sweet onion deliveries on the same truck to lower costs and increase delivery frequencies,” he said.
The partnership also has a large export program through its members sales desks.
