About Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a positive reputation, both in nutrients and in their connection with North Carolina history. Our state has been the top sweet potato grower since 1971. According to the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission (NCSPC), our state supplies over 50 percent of our nation’s sweet potatoes and the majority of the produce is grown where our farm is located in Eastern North Carolina.

The sweet potato has been North Carolina’s official state vegetable since 1995 and we continue to find new and delicious ways to enjoy it! (link Benefits tab, link NCSPC, link Ways to Cook tab)

Common Misconceptions

• Sweet potatoes are yams. Yams are root vegetables that are rough, scaly, and are low in beta carotene. Sweet potatoes have a smoother texture and have a high concentration of beta carotene. The USDA’s food labeling requirements impose labels with ‘yam’ to appear with ‘sweet potato’ and this causes the confusion between the two.
• Avoid the fridge. According to the NCSPC, storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator changes the taste (unfavorably). Use a dry, ventilated storage container.