NYPS gives Vick Family Farms opportunity to talk business, give thanks
NYPS gives Vick Family Farms opportunity to talk business, give thanks
Right on the heels of the busiest time of the year for sweet potato shippers, Vick Family Farms representatives will be on the expo floor at the New York Produce Show to thank current customers and meet potential new buyers.
Charlotte Vick, partner/sales and marketing manager at Wilson, NC-based Vick Family Farms, said the company’s goals for the NYPS is to connect with customers and discuss possibilities with potential new customers for the 2026 crop.
The company will have its Carolina Gold, Grande Gold and Pure Gold sweet potato brands on display at booth No. 303 on the expo floor.
“We will be discussing ways we can continue to help our customers grow the category as we prepare for the new year,” Vick said.
In the second week of November, as Thanksgiving orders were ramping up, Vick said demand has been good, but a “little quieter” right before the peak shipments began.
The 2025 crop yields were average, she said.
“We went into the harvest feeling that we would have a big crop but dry weather late in the season our yields dropped off middle of the season,” Vick said. “We will manage our inventory to ensure our good customers keep a constant supply with no gaps in 2026.”
Vick Family Farms planted more acres this season, allowing a consistent supply to year-round customers. Quality of the sweet potatoes are excellent, she said, with “shape and sizing looking great.”
Balancing rising costs to grow crops while offering consumers an affordable sweet potato option is a heightened concern this season, a reality facing all produce growers, she said.
“Farmers face challenges every single season growing crops, and then our economy struggling makes farming even that much harder,” Vick said. “I know consumers pay much higher costs in the grocery store, but it costs a lot more to grow, harvest, ship and sell produce these days.”
Even so, she said the U.S. offers the safest, most affordable food supply in the world.
“If our input costs would come down, we would be able to offer better prices in the future so all we can do is keep farming, keep being diligent about management of our crops and our finances and hope things improve in the near future,” Vick said.
Her children represent the third consecutive generation on the farm, and the family goal is to pass on a stable operation to them.
“We have been blessed that excellent management practices over the last 50 years have given our business a solid foundation to stand upon during the challenges we face today,” Vick said.
With the New York Produce Show’s early December scheduling, it’s a good time to give thanks to customers for their continued business.
“It also gives us a chance to celebrate the holiday season with many of them as they become not only business partners but also our friends,” she said. “The festive holiday time puts everyone in the spirit of being thankful for our many blessings in the produce industry.”
