A Retail Veteran's Eye on the Grower Side: Brian Porter Reflects on Differentiation and the Bako Sweet® Operation

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A deep passion for understanding the world of fresh produce, being part of its legacy, and contributing to its continued success drives many industry professionals to experience multiple sides of the value chain—from the retailer or foodservice operator to the grower, packer, and shipper. Having a foot in both worlds can cultivate a unique perspective on the needs, challenges, and opportunities that connect the supply chain, including for Brian Porter, the new Business Development Manager for Bako Sweet®.

Prior to joining Bako Sweet, Brian was an Assistant Sales Manager for Safeway NorCal, a position he held for 10 years. In this role, the industry veteran generated double-digit annual sales and volume growth in many of the categories he managed.

“I have really enjoyed the change to the grower side of the business. Learning the different aspects of growing sweet potatoes and managing customer programs has been exciting and interesting,” Brian begins, drawing on the fresh experience for his next reflection. “I believe my understanding of retail has been a big win for our entire Bako Team, as I am able to share the different aspects of merchandising and the challenges around shrink that our retailer partners face.”

Prior to joining Bako Sweet, Brian was an Assistant Sales Manager for Safeway NorCal, a position he held for 10 years. In this role, the industry veteran generated double-digit annual sales and volume growth.

At Safeway, Brian substantially increased department sales and profits by collaborating with senior management to develop and execute innovative programs and improve policies.

“Sharing my extensive retail knowledge with our entire team has been very rewarding,” Brian shares with me. “Since I joined Bako Sweet in early spring 2026, I have been surprised and so impressed by the cross-functional effort it takes to bring programs to life. The planning, management, and precision required to make sure we have the right quality, sizing, and quantities to meet all of our retail partners' needs—this is where the magic happens.”

This is so true; consumers take for granted that products showed up as ordered and still don’t fully appreciate what grower teams do to execute such a feat. The best programs come when customers joint business plan with Bako Sweet as a partner and are willing to try new things, whether it be new SKUs, unique promotions, changes to merchandising schematics, or other new ideas to reach shoppers and inspire consumers.

“Growth in the category is coming from convenience packs, and Bako Sweet is taking the lead to evolve in ways to grow the category by bringing in new shoppers and showing them how sweet potatoes can fit into their everyday lives,” Brian continues. “Our motto is Sweeten Your Everyday™, which fits in with our customer partnerships as well as the growing love consumers have for sweet potatoes across the country.”

As a top-growing vegetable in the U.S. in 2025, with no sign of a slowdown, this is one category that has earned the love.

Heading into the fall, Bako Sweet is doing what it does best, bringing unique, turnkey, and tailored programs to retail partners. With a great-looking 2026 crop being harvested right now, the team prides itself on growing best-in-class sweet potatoes for customers to bring to consumers.

“Our ultimate goal is for every consumer of Bako Sweet sweet potatoes to have an outstanding at-home eating experience with our products,” Brian describes. “That gets me up in the morning, every day.”

With Brian’s retail expertise now on the grower side, Bako Sweet is strengthening the connection between field-level execution and retail success.