Sweet potato growth continues for Matthews Ridgeview Farms

Pictured at the 2022 SEPC Southern Exposure event in Orlando, Fla., in early March:  Autumn Campbell,(left) sales manager with Matthews Ridgeview Farms, Wynne, Ark., with Brooke Eldridge, sales representative.
Pictured at the 2022 SEPC Southern Exposure event in Orlando, Fla., in early March:  Autumn Campbell,(left) sales manager with Matthews Ridgeview Farms, Wynne, Ark., with Brooke Eldridge, sales representative.
(Tom Karst)

Wynne, Ark.-based Matthews Ridgeview Farms is growing and has no plans to slow down, said Autumn Campbell, sales manager, speaking at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure expo, held in early March in Orlando, Fla. 

Campbell said the company, founded by Terris Matthews and his wife, Kim, in 2006, is in expansion mode.

“We’ve expanded our acreage, and we do a little over 4,000 acres now,” Campbell said. The company predominately grows the beauregard variety, she said.

About six months ago, the company added a four-count consumer tray pack option for its sweet potatoes, she said. The new pack is being stocked by a couple of retailers so far.

Besides the bulk options, the company offers an assortment of bags and steamer packs, available for conventional and organic product. 

The company has ample supply for the rest of the marketing season, Campbell said. 

“We’ve got a good supply; not overabundant, but just where we need to be,” she said.

For the upcoming season, the company is starting the bedding process for sweet potato plants this week, with planting expected in May and harvest expected to begin by early September.
 

 

Latest News

USDA restricts PACA violators in Georgia
USDA restricts PACA violators in Georgia

The sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

 USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Texas produce company
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Texas produce company

The McAllen, Texas, company has met obligations outlined in the reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and is now free to operate in the produce industry, USDA said.

Save A Lot names chief development officer
Save A Lot names chief development officer

Bill Mayo spent the past 29 years at Wakefern Food Corp. As chief development officer, Mayo will lead the strategic growth of Save A Lot’s licensed retail business to support and strengthen the Save A Lot brand.

Maryland expands spotted lanternfly quarantine
Maryland expands spotted lanternfly quarantine

The state’s department of agriculture added 17 counties to control the spread of the invasive insect.

2024 NGA Show concludes with record attendance, sold-out expo hall
2024 NGA Show concludes with record attendance, sold-out expo hall

Organizers said 3,600 grocery professionals participated in the three-day event, the largest in the National Grocers Association's 42-year history.

Inspiration on the agenda: The Viva Fresh ‘Clean Eating Challenge'
Inspiration on the agenda: The Viva Fresh ‘Clean Eating Challenge'

Now in its fifth year, the Viva Fresh Clean Eating Challenge supports industry peers taking the challenge to eat more fruits and vegetables, while making the meaningful first steps to improve their health and lives.