This root, this root, this root is on fire
We may think first of the fiery orange-hued version when we conjure an image of a sweet potato in our heads, but produce is never that simple, is it?
There are purple sweet potatoes, as well as those with yellow or white flesh. Then there are yams. And so many other cousins.
A yam, sometimes mislabeled as a sweet potato in U.S. supermarkets, is not a potato, and neither is a sweet potato, despite its household name. Both are tubers.
How to tell the difference when managing your stock and organizing your displays?
- Yams have dark, bark-like skins with white flesh, according to Farmers' Almanac. Some have purple or red flesh. Yams are drier and starchier than sweet potatoes and are even made into flour.
- Sweet potatoes have gold, copper or bronze skins and moister flesh that’s usually bright orange.
Sweet potatoes may not be the most beautiful beings on the outside, but color-blocking, waterfalls and several creative merchandising strategies can still work for these beloved tubers.
And don’t forget some good signage for shoppers.
Fall and winter are peak promotional seasons for sweet potatoes with cooler weather and holiday cooking. Suggest traditional and innovative recipes and uses for the vegetable. The holidays must be mentioned, as well as the candied goodness.
And it never hurts to talk health, especially with winter viruses and consumers’ love of eating to boost their immune systems. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved these nutrition descriptors, which could make for some helpful signage on displays in-store and online: “A good source of fiber, high in vitamin A and high in vitamin C.”
These displays, culled from our Produce Artist Award Series files, show some blazing-hot artistry and skill at several grocery stores. Take some inspiration and tips. Then set your sweet potato sales on fire.
Show us your produce artistry!
Share your great store displays of fresh produce, enter the seasonal Produce Artist Award Series contest by sending six to 10 photos, your name, job title, store and location to artists@producemarketguide.com. The fall contest submission deadline (focusing on apples, hard squash, pears, pumpkins and sweet potatoes) is Dec. 8, but there’s always the winter contest if you miss it.
