Sweet Potatoes
The root-knot-nematode-resistant variety is named in honor of the parish it was discovered in.
Sweet potatoes lead the list of top-dollar fruit and vegetable commodities in North Carolina and South Carolina, according to USDA agricultural statistics for 2022.
Demand for organic sweet potatoes continues to be strong, says Kristi Hocutt, director of sales and marketing for Sims, N.C.-based Triple J Produce Inc.
California-based grower-packer-shipper Bako Sweet has reported a promising start to its sweetpotato season and anticipates a slightly higher yield than 2022.
Bakersfield, Calif.-based Bako Sweet touts the health benefits of sweetpotatoes during National Sweet Potato Month and National Heart Month.
The biggest highlight of the marketing campaign for Durham, N.C.-based Happy Dirt sweet potatoes this spring is education around the product and the growers, said Taylor Meadows, marketing coordinator.
Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support for Nash Produce, says that sweet potato movement can increase up to 20% during the Easter sales period.
North Carolina sweet potatoes check all the boxes for today’s consumers, says Michelle Grainger, executive director of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission.
Bakersfield, Calif.-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet label has redesigned its conventional and organic mesh bags as well as its Single Sweet stickers.
The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission, made up of 400 sweetpotato growers along with packers, processors and business associates, has launched a new e-cookbook titled, “Sweet Celebrations: Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Bako Sweet is offering tips for and partnering with retailers to transform holiday produce displays.
While the yield is down for this season, the organization reported success in pilot programs to promote sweetpotatoes outside of the seasonal holiday window.
The harvest, now underway, has produced excellent quality sweetpotatoes in a variety of planted colors, including orange, red, white and purple, ensuring consistent supply to meet growing consumer demand, according to the brand.
Growers and marketers say favorable growing conditions should make for ample supplies this year.
This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.
Chris Koger Church Brothers Farms, Salinas, Calif., is adding five Green Giant Fresh value-added products.
Hurricane Laura slammed into Cameron, La., with winds of 150 m.p.h. at 1 a.m. Central on Aug. 27, leaving coastal areas nearby battered and bringing heavy winds and rains inland.
The USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program gets mixed reviews from sweet potato growers across the country.
It’s the year nobody ever dreamed of, but thanks to good weather and healthy retail sales, sweet potato growers appear to be adapting well to their new world.
Farm Fresh Produce Inc., Faison, N.C., has hired Oscar Avila as its lead salesman specializing in sweet potatoes.
Despite a challenging season, North Carolina’s premium sweet potatoes are set to hit supermarket shelves and dinner tables in time for Thanksgiving and winter holidays.
Sweet potato grower-shipper Farm Fresh Produce, Faison, N.C., has added Davy van Ewijck in sales.
For U.S. produce growers, the bark of Hurricane Dorian was worse than its bite.
Farm Pak Products Inc., Spring Hope, N.C., is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently imposed sanctions on three companies for violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
Mibo Fresh Foods LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is facing a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act complaint for unpaid produce shipments of $1.86 million.
(UPDATED, Jan. 21) Produce industry pioneer Frieda Rapoport Caplan, 96, has died.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four companies for Perishable Agricultural Commodity Act violations.
Del Monte Fresh Produce and Mann Packing Co. will showcase fresh, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as snack solutions, at the Southern Exposure trade show.
This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.