BAKERSFIELD, CA - Shoppers are already gearing up for summer, and that means it’s the perfect time for retailers to start promoting BBQ-friendly produce offerings to inspire creativity and rack up impulse and repeat purchases. To help, Bako Sweet® has joined forces with Sprouts Farmers Market to launch its Sales and Display contest, which coincides with its Sweet Destination summer campaign.

“This event aims to increase sweet potato sales in the summer when demand is not as high as other times of the year such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter,” explains Alexandra “Rae” Molumby, Director of Marketing. “Consumers recognize that sweet potatoes are a nutritious superfood that can be cooked in many different ways, so we want to motivate them to incorporate sweet potatoes into their summer cookouts and enjoy them year-round.”

This exciting competition will occur from May 30 to July 4, 2022, with the winners announced on July 15. Produce Managers from the Sprouts Colton Distribution Center in Southern California will be eligible to participate. They will create a display at the front of their produce department featuring Bako Sweet’s organic sweet potato bags in its Traeger-themed display bins.

“Shoppers buy with their eyes,” adds Rae. “That is why retailers want to make their sweet potato displays more attractive and uniform. With our new organic sweet potato steam bags, they are provided with vibrant packaging and predictive pack sizes that get it right every time.”

Winners from the produce manager competition will take home prizes including a Traeger, BBQ grill tools set, personalized BBQ, and the Best Display Prize will be a YETI Tundra 35 Hard Cooler.

In addition to the Produce Manager competition, Bako Sweet will also be holding a consumer contest that allows shoppers to scan a QR code on each bin to win Bako Sweet-branded prizes and a Traeger.

To further support the contest, Bako Sweet has created eye-catching display bins promoting the consumer giveaway and featuring the brand’s sweet potato kebab recipe. The supplier has also put together posters, t-shirts, and social media content to drive shoppers to Sprouts locations to stock up on its organic sweet potato steam bags.

“Retailers value companies that can provide consistent, fresh, and quality sweet produce year-round, and Bako Sweet does just that,” says Chris Campion, Senior Sales Manager at Sprouts. “Consumer packaged goods stake their success on their predictability and consistency, and Bako Sweet is bringing this to the sweet potato category. That is why we couldn’t be happier to partner with them for this unique competition.”

As a lover of all things sweet potato, I cannot wait to see the creative displays from this fun competition, and I’m optimistic that consumers will be thrilled to garner some extra recipe inspiration. So, add Bako Sweet’s new organic sweet potato steam bags to your shelves to get the summer started right.

Bako Sweet®