BAKERSFIELD, CA - With February, Valentine’s Day, National Sweet Potato Month, and American Heart Health Month upon us, now is the time to look to premium fresh produce categories to drive traffic this winter. Responding to such ideal timing is Country Sweet Produce (CSP), as the company looks to boost the value of the sweet potato category with its new retail campaign I Heart Sweet Potatoes.
“Retailers and consumers love sweet potatoes for their flavor, versatility, and high nutritional content. They are loaded with potassium, which helps promote heart health and can reduce the risk for heart disease, as the American Heart Association shares with us. To further promote this superstar in the fresh produce department, we have launched our I Heart Sweet Potatoes campaign,” Chris Carroll, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares with me.
Demand continues to be robust as the pandemic persists with consumers spending more time cooking at home, which makes the timing perfect for retailers to connect with consumers through the sweet potato category.
“During the I Heart Sweet Potatoes campaign, our goal is to increase consumption of sweet potatoes by communicating the health benefits of sweet potatoes this month, tying into American Heart Health Month. We are raising awareness about sweet potatoes as an ideal choice by talking about their health benefits on social media. We are also giving consumers a chance to win prizes every week during the entire month of February,” Alexandra “Rae” Danell, Marketing Manager, expresses.
A lucky many will get the gifts that keep on giving: prizes include free sweet potatoes, cooking accessories for sweet potatoes, and newly designed swag.
“We are giving consumers another reason to purchase sweet potatoes during a period of time where they are focused on eating healthy,” Rae says.
Additionally, a grand prize winner will get a year’s supply of free Bako Sweet sweet potatoes along with a free Le Creuset dish and newly designed swag. Retailers can also share the posts or participate in the giveaway themselves for a chance to win. Details to enter can be found here.
“Country Sweet Produce had a fantastic harvest in 2020 with great quality, and the company’s Bako Sweet storage stocks are looking solid throughout 2021,” Chris adds. “To bolster sales in February, we are offering new Bako Sweet retail display bins which retailers can request directly from us to add more space for sweet potatoes in the produce department.”
And, along with CSP’s exciting merchandising displays and campaign, the company is showcasing its new organic sweet potato steam bags which make it convenient for consumers to cook healthy meals in minutes.
As we look to the spring months and beyond, retailers should keep the sweet potato category stocked and consumers engaged, as sweet potatoes have become a year-round item with clear spikes during Easter and Thanksgiving.
With abundant opportunities aligning increased sales with the Country Sweet Produce sweet potato program, retailers have much to look forward to in 2021.
