Troy Bland of Bland Farms® Discusses Sweet Onion Market and Sand Candy Sweet Potato Program
GLENNVILLE, GA - A merchandising frenzy gets underway in the winter months, as increased gatherings with friends and family spark shoppers to add even more items to their baskets. Sharing some exclusive insights to make the most of the season, Troy Bland, Chief Executive Officer of Bland Farms®, recently took a moment to talk to me about the sweet onion market, as well as a unique program set to maximize potential across two staple categories.
“We are currently shipping Peruvian sweet onions as well as domestic sweets from Nevada, and quality from both regions has been excellent,” shares Troy. “We expect to receive a good supply of promotable product from Peru throughout the next few months and into next year, and our Nevada domestic sweet program is projected to run through February.”
The sweet onion market has remained steady throughout the year, and demand continues to be strong. As Bland Farms notes, pricing for the category is slightly higher than last year due mainly to increased costs.
“Onions are primarily an ingredient, so they are a driver of additional purchases across the store. The holidays are more of a time for cooking and entertaining, and the versatility of onions in soups, stews, stuffings, sides, appetizers, and more makes it a must-have for shoppers to have on hand. On our website, we have numerous recipes that retailers can promote to make the holidays extra sweet.”
Troy goes on to explain to me that, while shoppers may have a list and think they know exactly what they want when entering the grocery store, colorful displays—such as the supplier’s Sweet Holiday bin that includes sweet onions and sweet potatoes—can inspire shoppers and generate impulse sales. After all, shoppers are always looking for ideas and inspiration for their next culinary endeavor.
“Bland Farms is rooted in tradition, a family farm with three generations of experience in the sweet onion industry. We have always been innovators and leaders throughout the onion industry, and we pride ourselves on our quality, consistency, exceptional customer service, and marketing support,” Troy adds. “With the addition of our new Sand Candy sweet potato program this season, Bland Farms is now your one-stop shop for everything sweet.”
The holiday season is in full swing, and Bland Farms is helping retailers maximize sales across two categories that will surely be taking the spotlight this season.
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