LUCAMA, NC - Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that the word “foodservice” is popping up in produce industry dealings now more than ever. To keep up with the always growing place for produce in foodservice, North Carolina-based sweet potato provider Scott Farms has been working hard to stay in step while still maintaining the quality and consistency operators demand from their suppliers. With that commitment in mind and Southeast Produce Council’s foodservice-centered Southern Innovations show around the corner, I spoke with Director of Marketing Jeff Thomas to delve further into what the company is bringing to the table.

“One of the things that makes us so innovative in the foodservice sector is our ability to consistently grow and pack our products,” Jeff tells me. “Our state-of-the-art, automated facility is second to none in the industry and allows us to have full control of the product from beginning to end. Uniformity in packing capabilities allows us to work with our customers to make certain they receive what they need in a consistent pack.”

Consistency has always been a point of pride for the sixth generation family farm. When I ask what Scott Farms’ owes that consistency to, Jeff tells me that it’s the company’s many years of growing experience and the extreme level of detail that goes into producing every item offered. The company even operates its own micropropagation facility, which allows it to have complete control of the product our customers enjoy, all the way from the seed to the product that ends up on tables internationally.

At Southern Innovations in Nashville, Tennessee, September 6th through 8th, Scott Farms will bring a bevy of its varieties to showcase to foodservice operators. Traditional Covington variety sweet potatoes, as well as the Bonita and Murasaki varieties will all be in tow, available in foodservice packs, steam in bags, microwavable packs, and 4 pack family options. But Jeff says the company’s growth in the sector doesn't stop there.

“Scott Farms continues to grow while maintaining the level of service our customers have come to expect. Our presence in the foodservice marketplace and beyond is a testament to treating our customers with respect and working as true partners to understand what they need, want, and expect from their suppliers. We plan to continue to innovate and cultivate relationships with our customer partners in the industry, helping them continue to offer their customers the best sweet potatoes available.”

Scott Farms has been a longtime member of the Southeast Produce Council and has attended both the Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations conferences for many years. Jeff shares with me that he is excited to once again reconnect with industry partners and friends at booth #618. To that, I say cheers, and see you in the Music City!

Scott Farms